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Cat Caught In Illegal Trap In Southbridge; Leg Amputated

SOUTHBRIDGE (CBS) - The MSPCA is seeking the public's help in finding whoever is responsible for placing an animal trap along a hiking trail in Southbridge that caught and severely injured a cat on Tuesday.

A hiker found the cat caught in the trap on Tuesday and alerted Animal Control officers.

Surgeons later concluded that the only way to save the cat's life was to amputate its left front leg. So, the cat underwent surgery later that afternoon.

WBZ-TV's Kate Merrill reports

"The operation went very well and he is now recovering in our critical care unit. He ate this morning and is resting comfortably on pain medication. Despite having only one front leg, we expect him to adjust and live a relatively normal life indoors," said Dr. Meg Whelan, an emergency critical care veterinarian at Angell.

The cat, a male named Mr. Bates, was not wearing a collar and was not micro-chipped, so it is not known if he has an owner. He will be sheltered at the MSPCA until the owner is found or he can be placed in a permanent home.

Southbridge Cat
The surgery was successful. (Photo Credit: MSPCA)

According to the MSPCA, the trap was illegally set because it was not tagged or registered.

The MSPCA has offered a $1,000 reward leading to a conviction for animal cruelty in this case.

Anyone with information is asked to call the MSPCA's Law Enforcement Hotline at 800-628-5808.

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