The RSPCA says it believes a defenceless kitten found wandering alone and injured on a building site may have been beaten and tortured with boiling water. The charity confirmed an urgent investigation was now underway.
Named 'Binx' after the black cat in the Disney movie Hocus Pocus, the young male is now recovering after treatment and remains in the care of the RSPCA. They said they believe he may have been tortured over a long period of time.
Binx - who is eight months-old - was found with various burns across his body and a head injury wandering around a building site in the Failsworth area of Oldham.
In a statement, the RSPCA said: "After a couple of days of trying some workmen managed to safely capture the injured cat and took him to the Bury, Oldham and district branch of the RSPCA on Tuesday, October 11.
"The black feline had an obvious injury to his face and eye and burns on his body so was taken by RSPCA inspector Jess Pierce to the charity's Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for veterinary treatment.
"Staff at the hospital shaved some of the kitten's fur to assess the burns and treat them - which was when the full extent of the injuries were revealed. A vet said the burns were of differing ages so believes the poor puss, now nicknamed Binx from the film Hocus Pocus, had been abused on a number of occasions over a period of time.
"The head injury also appears to be non accidental and inspector Pierce is now investigating to try and trace the person responsible."
Insp Pierce said: "When I took Binx to the hospital I could see small white lines on his fur where there were some burns across his body - but when he was shaved the true horror of these injuries was revealed. Veterinary staff said the scalding burns are all of different ages as if he has systematically being tortured over a period of time - perhaps with having hot water poured on him.
"The injury to his head appears to be consistent with him being struck by something and has caused a swollen eye.
"I don’t know how he ended up on the building site - maybe he ran away from whoever was causing these awful injuries. It was lucky he was found and I am grateful to the workmen who brought him into our care.
"Binx seems to have endured a lot of pain at such a young age but in spite of that he is a super-friendly and loving cat. He is doing well in our care and will be looked after by the Bury, Oldham and District Branch until they feel he is ready to be rehomed.
"In the meantime I am keen to trace the callous person responsible for inflicting such horrific and painful injuries on this poor kitten."
Lindsey Lucisano, a receptionist at the RSPCA branch, added: "Binx is so loving - after all he has been through he has every right to be nasty but he isn't at all. We will continue to care for him and he will need regular veterinary checks on his burns and eye. Once he has fully recovered we will put him up for rehoming and give him the life he deserves."
Anyone with information should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 1234 999.
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