Police probe launched as Norwich cats suffer nasty injuries

Multiple moggie owners have reported their pets coming home with three to four-inch gashes in their sides.

Police have launched an investigation into similar incidents in the Catton Grove area which are reminiscent of another cat-harming spree from 2019. 

Lara Daynes, who lives in Palmer Road with her 16-year-old daughter, had to rush their four-year-old cat Phoenix to the vets on May 12 after noticing a large cut on the side.

Phoenix was rushed to the vets on May 12 and had surgery after coming home with a four inch cut in her side (Image: Lara Daynes)

Lara, 47, said: "We were outside and I could see this four-inch cut in her fur, just under her left armpit.

"She was rushed to the vets and then had surgery the next day before having antibiotics to make sure there was no infection.

"I'm so angry, so the more awareness we can raise, the quicker this scumbag can be caught."

Lara Daynes said the more awareness we can raise, the quicker this scumbag can be caught (Image: Lara Daynes)

Four-year-old Phoenix (Image: Lara Daynes)

Amanda Rose Wilson lives just a mile away, in Mile Cross Road, and also had to rush her eight-month-old cat Ralph to the vets on Monday after hearing him crying out in pain.

The 45-year-old said: "We rushed him to the vets around 6.30pm, who told me he'd treated another cat with a similar injury.

"Ralph had a 3.5-inch slice down his left side, about halfway down his body, just behind his ribs.

"I'm dumbfounded someone would want to do something like this to an innocent animal - there's just no need for it."

Both women are concerned that the incidents are similar to those which happened in 2019 - when five cats were attacked in two weeks - in nearby areas including George Pope Close and Philadelphia Lane.

A police spokeswoman confirmed an investigation is under way, saying: "We've received two reports of cats being injured in Norwich.

Amanda said she was dumbfounded that anyone could hurt the cats (Image: Amanda Rose Wilson)Ralph was taken to the vets to be treated after having a 3.5 inch gash in his side (Image: Amanda Rose Wilson)

"The first incident occurred on May 12, when a cat had returned home with an injury in Palmer Road.

"The second incident was reported on June 3, when a cat had returned home with an injury in Mile Cross Road. Enquiries are ongoing."

In April, Eli Morrey, who lives in Sprowston, woke up around 2am to his cat Lolly whimpering in pain and limping into the house.

The 32-year-old, who lives in Edwards Road, said: "I couldn't see what was wrong so I tried to pick him up and he freaked out. 

Eli Morrey, who lives in Edwards Road, Sprowston, with his cat Lolly (Image: Eli Morrey)

"That's when I noticed there was a laceration, about three inches long, under his right armpit and I thought I could see a white substance, like bone or muscle, as well.

"The vet was shut at the time so he ended up sleeping with me in a blanket and then I took him to the vets first thing in the morning.

"He was stitched up and had some injections - thankfully he's perfectly fine now but will rarely leave the garden - when he was normally out and about a lot.

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"It's really concerning because there's a lot of cats in the area and it seems like there's some disgusting person going around harming them."

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA slammed the actions, saying: "There's never any excuse for harming any animal and we'd encourage people to show kindness, care and compassion to all animals - reporting any concerns about animal cruelty.

"Unfortunately cats can be vulnerable because they go outside and explore, so we'd advise any owners, whose cats have been affected, to book an appointment with their vet.

Eight month old Ralph (Image: Amanda Rose Wilson)

"Cat owners could also seek the advice of a behaviourist if they feel their cat is displaying signs of distress.

"This must've been very distressing for the owners and we hope the cats have fully recovered."

Five cats attacked in two weeks

In April 2019 police were investigating five separate reports of cats being injured over two weeks in the NR3 area.

The first incident was reported on April 14 when a cat returned to its owner's home in George Pope Close with both ears cut off, cuts on its back and fur removed.

A second attack was reported on April 23 when a man was seen stuffing a cat into a holdall bag. When challenged by a member of the public he dropped the bag and ran away.

A stray cat in Norwich was found with both of his ears cut off in 2019 (Image: Sarah Cutting)

A day later, on April 24, a man was spotted hitting a cat against a garage door by its tail in the Philadelphia Lane area of Norwich before running off with the cat towards Penn Grove Road.

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The same day, police received reports that body parts of a cat had been found on the allotments in the Woodcock Road area the week before.

On April 25, a veterinary practice in Taverham contacted officers to report they were treating a cat which had been brought into the surgery with both its ears cut off.

Eight months later police admitted defeat and closed the case.