Alert as cat loses tail and leg in snare
A Dalmally pet owner has issued a warning about snares after her one-year-old cat was left fighting for his life.
April O’Donnell was heartbroken on Wednesday morning of October 17 when she found her cat, Leo, with a missing paw and a stripped tail.
April’s back garden overlooks a wooded area, which is a popular dog walking spot.
When Leo unusually did not return home on Tuesday night, she shouted for him the following morning, which was met with a squeal.
‘I screamed and I ran over,’ she said. ‘His paw was missing, his tail was stripped, there was an injury to his other paw.’
Leo has since had to undergo an operation to amputate his back leg, tail and three toes on his remaining back paw. It was touch and go last weekend as to whether his damaged back leg would be able to support his weight.
Thankfully, little Leo has survived the worst of it and returned home on Monday.
April said: ‘We are all delighted. It would have been a shame for him to come through all that he did and for it to come to a bad end.
‘He has been a wee fighter throughout it all. I am just so happy. The children are over the moon.’
April believes the damage was caused by a snare. She added: ‘This will let pet owners and parents know about the snares in the field. It could have been a kid’s hand or foot. It’s just so senseless to set up snares in a residential area.’
Due to ill health, April and her family were struggling to pay the vet’s bill, but a number of charities have helped the O’Donnells with donations. Jean Sutherland from Argyll Animal Aid donated £300; Margaret Turner from Daisy’s Den in Dunoon, £200; and Samantha and Kevin Simon from Dunoon’s Small Animal Rescue, £50.
‘Thank you to everyone who has helped to contribute, as well as Oban Vets for looking after Leo and keeping the costs low,’ April said. There is currently an outstanding bill of £272. If anyone would like to help contribute, ‘even £1 or £2’, they can do so by donating directly to Oban Vets towards Leo’s remaining fees.