'Severely Dehydrated' Cat's Leg Amputated After Firecrackers Found Tied To Its Paw

In a case of animal cruelty, a cat’s leg had to be amputated after firecrackers were found strapped to its paw.

In a Facebook post Tuesday, the Humane Animal Rescue, a Pennsylvania based animal shelter, said a good Samaritan brought the three-year-old cat to them Friday evening. The staff named the feline “Pickles.”

“This poor girl came to us over the weekend after being brought in by good Samaritans. Upon closer inspection, our team realized that firecrackers had been tied to her front left paw with rubber bands which, at that point, was severely infected and infested with maggots. Based on how the wound had begun healing, our vets estimated that the injury happened about a week earlier– right around the Fourth of July,” the post said.

Jamie Wilson, the director of Medical Business at Humane Animal Rescue, said, “There wasn’t really any paw left. What was still there was barely hanging on by the rubber bands. Her bone was exposed and she was severely dehydrated. I had to stop her from eating & drinking too quickly so she wouldn’t get sick.”

Dr. Destiny Coleman decided to amputate the cat’s left leg Saturday and the procedure “went smoothly.”

“She is doing amazingly well, very social, she is eating, walking around, that paw wasn’t working for her before this, so she was already used to three legs which makes for an easier transition for her,” Dr. Coleman said, adding that he is hopeful that the feline will make a full recovery.

Ken Skepanski, who brought the cat to the shelter after finding it in the neighborhood, said, “We had to help. She was badly hurt, and we couldn’t let any animal suffer like that. We feel so relieved knowing that she is in good hands, and that we played a part in saving her life. We wish we could help more animals in need.”

Meanwhile, the cat is expected to be up for adoption in about a week and the organization’s humane officer was investigating the matter.