Gary

[catmandu]

The Neighbors Cat , seems to have a Broken Paw! The Cat Sitter says that there are puncture wounds , and the Slug has a Agressive terrier! The Poor Cat , limps over here , and EATS everything that I put down ! I dont know whether he is strictly an outdoor Cat , but he has licked his paw clean , and it just hangs there! I am not sure , what to do , a The Slug ,,is a bit of an arrogant jerk. I might take Gary in , have him fixed up , and let the AWA find him , a home!Then plead iggnorance , although I dont think that anyonr , really cares. At least you can homemake a splint!!!

[K & L]

Oh please take the poor thing to the vet. If these people don't, and give you a hard time, you can get them for animal abuse!

[Randi]

Oh, that poor cat - but he knew where to go for help. Please take him to the vet! Do you have an idea when this happened? If your neighbor knows, he should definately not have the cat back!!!

[sirrahved]

I don't think anyone has the right to take someone else's pet w/o their permission except authorities.

[Cataholic]

Originally posted by sirrahved
I don't think anyone has the right to take someone else's pet w/o their permission except authorities.

WHAT? This kitty has an obviously visible injury...how can you say that? I feel we are all personally charged with the obligation/duty to care for those that cannot do for themselves. Be they children, the mentally challenged, animals or the elderly. To turn away is wrong.

[sirrahved]

The cat is someone else's. I think if it is obvious that it is being mistreated authorities should be called. Imagine how some of us would feel if someone came and said they thought that WE were mistreating our animals!

[catnapper]

I would think it would be obvious to prove any one of us were not mistreating our animals... just like in cases of child abuse, the authorities check out the complaint and verify whether abuse was actual or not.

I do think it IS our responsibilty to watch out for the welfare of our neighbors... whether they be human or animals. Too often people turn a blind eye to harm and then later regret it when something really bad has happened.

I would most definately take the poor kity to the vet and let the proper authorites come along to make sure this cat has the chance to live a healthy happy life. Catmandu, you have such a wonderful heart, I hope the kitty will be ok.

[sirrahved]

Isn't it watching out for the kitty if you call the authorities?

And maybe they HAVE been watching the bite, but sometimes animals will not use the leg if it is sore (not necessarily broken) My RB dog, Ruby, had a tiny cut on her paw but wouldn't use it! She was such a mess...

I still don't think anyone should take another's animal without proper channels. I will maintain this opinion.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

If it were my decision, I would take the cat for treatment. There could be two possible outcomes:

1) that the owners WERE attending to the injury, and therfore your intervention wasn't really required (but a wise precaution)

2) that the poor animal is living in pain, and needs someone to take charge of the situation.

Other people have said it better than I ever could:

Edmund Burke:
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

George Bernard Shaw:
The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that's the essence of inhumanity.

[sirrahved]

Why not go talk to the owner, and tell your intentions?

[Cataholic]

Rather error on the side of caution, then to ignore another's suffering.

Far better to say, "forgive me, I was wrong.." then to let someone else suffer.

Gary, your heart is in the right place. Good luck.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Originally posted by sirrahved
Why not go talk to the owner, and tell your intentions?

It's a noble idea, but is based on the assumption that the owner will be open-minded about taking advice, and not get aggressive. If THAT were to happen, and THEN Gary took the cat, the owner could turn around and say "I TOLD that person not to touch my cat" whereas if the cat is treated first, THEN an angry owner gets invlolved, the situation is still bad, but at least:
1) the cat has been treated and
2) Gary cannot be blamed for going against someones express instructions.

I am very concerned about leaving things to the "correct authorities" - who knows what time and resources they have available. Would they view a cat with an untreated injury as "abused"??? Maybe not.

There was a thread recently about a dog in Dog General - this dog is living in terrible conditions, but because the owners are providing the minimum shelter etc required by law, the authorities can do nothing, even though they really want to help. In that situation I would be prepared to take the risk and "rescue" the animal myself.

I also recently stopped at the side of the road when I saw a group of teenagers surrounding a cat on the pavement. The cat had been hit by a car, it's back legs and back were injured, and it was dragging itself around by it's front legs trying to get away from these boys, who were poking it with sticks. I called our shelter, they came within 10 minutes and the cat was painlessly helped to the RB. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE IN FULL VIEW OF A POLICE PATROL. When I asked them why they hadn't intervened they laughed and drove away.


When my husband and I were trying to decide whether or not to move to the Middle East, he was given a very good piece of advice...

"IT IS BETTER TO REGRET THE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE, THAN THE THINGS YOU HAVEN'T DONE"

[emily_the_spoiled]

Gary, I think you should "borrow" the cat and take him in to see the vet. Over the past year or so the Toronto Animal authorities don't really seem to "be on the ball". I think that it is the only humane thing to do.

[PayItForward]

Gary, you are a real life angel.

Take him and rehome him.

I agree with the moral majority, anyone who leaves a cat with that kind of visible injury and does nothing, does not deserve to own a cat.

That is cruelty and he should not own any pets

[sirrahved]

What about the morality of taking something that isn't yours???

I just don't think I'll be coming to pettalk anymore. This is the final thing that has shown me that I really don't belong here!