UPDATE: Life on three legs after snare nightmare

Laying on his comfy armchair, Tinto looked crestfallen at the birds chirping outside while he recovered from his leg amputation.

The eight-year-old ginger cat was found, after missing for nearly a week, with a badly injured leg after he got caught in a snare in Ballito last week.

When the owner, Elbie van der Bank realised her beloved ginger boy was missing, she put up a post on the Dolphin Coast Neighbours Facebook page on January 21.

“We live in Lorna Avenue, but used to stay in Bay Ridge, which is next to an open piece of land close to Simbithi Eco Estate. He has gone missing before and tends to go back there,” said Van der Bank.

Five days later, a post from the Ballito Pets Facebook page was shared to Van der Bank’s post with a picture of her cat.

The post stated that he was found by Leanne Fraser Pengelly in Puzzle Bush Lane, Simbithi Eco Estate on January 25 with a badly injured hind leg and had been taken to the Ballito Veterinary Clinic.

Van der Bank said she was horrified to see the photos which were taken of Tinto’s leg when he was brought into the vet.

“The vet confirmed that it was a snare and that they could not save the leg.

“It is horrible to think he was stuck in the snare in the open piece of land next to Bay Ridge, hearing us calling him all day. Usually when we look for him, he answers with an upbeat ‘meow’.”

KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife and Simbithi Eco Estate have checked the area for any other snares, but have not found any.

Meanwhile, Tinto is learning how to get by with three legs, while enjoying the special dose of TLC from his mom.

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