Chained up kitten one of worst cases at Bradford Cat Watch Rescue

The eight-week-old kitten, tied to railings in Manningham, was brought to Bradford Cat Watch Rescue on Monday evening and underwent emergency treatment. Her lung collapsed and her heart was 'shunted' to the other side of her chest. She is now fighting for her life.

Ethel was found with a chain around her neck

Katie Lloyd, who runs the cat rescue, said it is one of the most shocking cases of animal cruelty she has witnessed. "When she arrived she was very limp and her breathing was what we call 'sea-saw' as the head lunges forward when breathing is so much effort. She was clearly in pain and barely able to move," said Katie. "The vet tried to give her an X-ray but she was too traumatised so, despite her young age, she had to be put under anaesthetic.

The kitten was left traumatised

"The radiographs were shocking - they showed her entire chest appeared shunted to the right, with an odd-looking dent to her ribcage. One lung was collapsed, air was leaking out, and the heart had been forced to the other side of her chest. There was evidence on her neck of her having been kicked or squashed by large hands.

Radiograph showing the injuries

"She also has a blood stain in her eye. All together this points towards horrendous abuse."

The kitten, named Ethel, is now in intensive care at the cat rescue centre. "The vet managed to draw air from her lungs and put her heart back in position," said Katie. "She's on our critical care ward, with intravenous fluids and pain relief. We're more hopeful than we were 12 hours ago, but the next 24 hours are critical."

"On top of her injuries, she has flu, and of course she's traumatised."

Ethel suffered horrific injuries

Added Katie: "Her injuries are not consistent with a road accident, a fall or any other accident. This has been done deliberately to her. I'm so angry that someone could abuse a tiny kitten and put a chain around her neck. If you don't want your cat, and you can't be bothered to take them to a rescue centre, let them go. But don't do this."

Ethel suffered a collapsed lung and other injuries

It is the second shocking case the cat rescue, off Bolton Road, has dealt with this week. On Tuesday a six-week-old kitten was brought in with injuries after children had been swinging it around by its legs.

Katie, a former paediatric nurse, founded Bradford Cat Watch Rescue, which treats cats with injuries and disabilities and takes in homeless and unwanted cats; providing medical care and re-homing.

This month the T&A reported that new RSPCA figures show that seven cats a day suffer at the hands of humans in West Yorkshire. In just six years, 16,212 incidents of cruelty towards cats were reported to the animal welfare charity. Neglect, poisoning, shootings, beating and mutilation were among the causes.

RSPCA spokesman David Bowles said: “The demand for pets soared during the pandemic, meaning backstreet kitten breeders have been able to make more money out of flogging pets online.

“We normally see a rise in kittens being sold at this time of year and, coupled with the cost of living crisis, sadly we could see a boom in the kitten trade this year."

* Bradford Cat Watch Rescue is not currently seeking a home for Ethel, but is appealing for funds to help with her treatment. Call (01274) 632222 or visit bcwr-kittens.co.uk