A cat’s tail of survival
A MIRACLE cat mutilated in a mystery attack has been named
Pet Survivor of theyear.
Bravewoody, the favourite pet of an autistic boy, returned home after disappearing for several hours one day last July.
Just five months old the normally cheeky kitten sat quietly on the sofa. So realising something was wrong, owner Stephanie checked him over.
She found he had a gaping stomach wound, an injured paw and part of his tail was cut off.
She rushedwoody to the vets where he had three hours of surgery to repair his stomach and paw and to cleanly amputate the remainder of his tail.
Within 24 hours he was back on his paws and after eight days of intensive care was allowed home, where he was nursed for months.
Now the “miracle cat”, who is fully recovered, has won a public vote to scoop the honour awarded each year by the PDSA charity.
Stephanie of Battle, East Sussex, described Woody as the “precious companion” of her autistic son.
She said: “It’s been a tough year forwoody and the whole family, but it’s ended on a high by winning this award.
“Thankfully the experience hasn’t changed his personality.
“He’s such a friendly little cat and will do anything for a cuddle or a treat.we couldn’t imagine life without him.”
Stephanie, who crowdfunded and borrowed to pay forwoody’s £5,000 treatment, added: “We reported it to police and they investigated this as a case of animal mutilation.
“It was awful to think someone might’ve done this deliberately.”
PDSA veterinary nurse Louise Chapman, who presentedwoody with his trophy at the PDSA
Pet Hospital in Brighton, said:
“It was touch and go whether he would survive.
“He’s a true pet survivor and a worthy winner indeed.”