Three-legged cat rescued again – this time from its new owners
An official from the sheriff’s office and a representative of a kitten welfare organisation rescued a three-legged adopted cat from its owners on Friday amid allegations of mistreatment.
Durban high court judge Khozi Hadebe granted an urgent order on Thursday for a Westville couple to surrender the cat, known as Atlas, to Kitty Care or to the deputy sheriff.
In support of the court application, brought by Kitty Care owner Tatum Ridgeway, Kyleigh Anne Malkin-page said she had initially fostered Atlas and his brother Hyperion.
The couple, she said, had expressed an interest in adopting both kittens, an “adoption agreement” was concluded, and they had taken the cats home in December last year.
They had previously been approved for adoption after background and home checks.
Malkin-page said in January they posted on Facebook that Hyperion had broken his femur and asked for assistance to pay the vet bills.
Kitty Care intervened and took the cat to a private vet where he underwent orthopaedic surgery.
The following month, March, Malkin-page said the wife had contacted her to report that Atlas was injured and in pain.
“She sent me pictures showing that he had a severe injury to his hind leg with lots of bleeding,” she said.
Again Kitty Care stepped in and organised for the cat to be seen by a private vet, who concluded his leg had been crushed and had to be amputated.
While Atlas was still recovering at the vet, the wife contacted Kitty Action again, saying Hyperion was limping.
“We first thought it may be from the pre-existing injury. But he was taken to the vet and diagnosed with a tibial fracture on the other leg. The vet said the most likely cause was blunt force trauma.”
Atlas went home with only three legs. Hyperion went home with pins in his femur for the first injury and an external splint for the second fracture.
Then in early April, the wife messaged Malkin-page to say Hyperion had died after he and Atlas got into a fight.
“She sent me a video of him dying. It can clearly be seen that Hyperion was soaking wet, and when questioned she said this was because her husband had wiped him down.
“Considering that Atlas had a recently amputated leg, the suggestion that he killed Hyperion in a fight was ridiculous.
“Neither could ever offer any explanation as to how the cats had been injured so seriously so many times while in their care. They said the cats are contained indoors. One of the cats is now dead and the other disabled.
“Given the nature of the repeated injuries, read with the vet’s comment that blunt force trauma is the most likely cause, it appears that the cats were illtreated, possibly abused. Seeing that they have been able to give no other explanations, that inference is inescapable.”
Kitty Action demanded the return of Atlas.
In response, the couple consulted an attorney.
In a letter attached to the court papers, the attorney notes that his clients have taken the best possible care of their cats “under undue and unlucky and unforeseen circumstances”.
But Malkin-page said the adoption agreement allowed Kitty Care to demand the return of the cat.
“Clearly the welfare of an animal is at stake, and he is in danger of further serious injury.”
The application was made ex parte (without notice to the couple), and they have until June 8 to file opposing papers.