Cat found with embedded choke-chain
Lead, SD (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Apr 5, 2004
County: Lawrence

Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

A cat with a choke-chain severely embedded in its neck was found abandoned in the Washington Street area of Lead several weeks ago�by a�group of young people, who called theTwin City animal�shelter.�

Dr. Tom Huhnerkoch described the cat's injuries, "(The cat had)...a small dog choker chain originally around its neck... the cat had worked its left leg up and through the chin...it had grown into and under the skin in the left armpit so it must have been there for months. It was cutting the left arm off slowly and was very infected as (is) any untreated wound of this type."

The cat had to be anesthetized to allow the doctor to use wire cutters to clip the chain out of the flesh. An embedded collar falls into the category of neglect and cruelty for an animal, according to Teah Pray of the shelter.

April is National Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month, and this cat's plight is a prime example of the kind of abuse and neglect seen all over the country, in small communities like Lead or Deadwood or large urban areas.

"Cats should not wear collars unless they are the kind that releases easily," Pray said. "...certainly never a choke collar."

The happy news for this cat is that the chain was successfully removed soon enough for antibiotics and wound care to save it from death. Soon the kitty will be going home to a new and loving family.

References

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