Three-legged cat returns home
Kinja the cat may have lost a leg after being shot, but it hasn’t affected his adventurous or loving nature.
The seven-year-old tabby had his left front leg amputated last week after it was shattered by a bullet on December 2.
The affectionate pet had managed to limp home dragging his leg but the vet wasn’t able to save the limb.
Owner Tersha van Deventer said Kinja was able to go home two days after the surgery to remove his leg.
‘‘It was lovely. It was nice but it was a bit weird to pick him up. It feels a bit weird,’’ she said. ‘‘He obviously loved being home.’’
Tersha said Kinja was known around the neighbourhood for his loving nature and he was ‘‘still as smoochie’’ as ever.
While everyone was pleased to have the family pet back where he belongs, Kinja appeared less than impressed to be stuck indoors.
‘‘He had a run for it yesterday and we were lucky that we grabbed him. I think he’s a bit sad. You can see he doesn’t want to be inside. He misses the outdoors.’’
Tersha said once Kinja had his stitches removed they would allow him to venture outside unsupervised, which they believed would be to his delight.
‘‘He’s an outdoor cat. We can’t keep him inside forever.’’
Her daughter Dane¯ was also pleased to have her furry friend home. ‘‘It’s so great. When we went to go and pick him up I couldn’t sleep the night before,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s nice having a cuddle with him again and having him around.’’
While the family were pleased to have Kinja home their other cat was a bit uncertain around his now three-legged fellow feline but they hoped they would start getting on again.
While the shooting had been reported to police nobody has been held accountable so far.
Tersha said if somebody had been annoyed with Kinja being in their garden they could have used a water pistol to spray him.
‘‘He wouldn’t do any harm to anyone. I just feel so sorry for him.’’