A 28-year-old woman from Kirklees has been banned from owning pets for ten years after performing a distressing DIY procedure on her cat, Nunia, instead of seeking professional veterinary care.
Adella Hiscova pleaded guilty to animal welfare offenses after using cotton thread to sew up a wound on her pet cat, who had suffered an injury to her bladder. The RSPCA was alerted by a veterinarian on July 14, 2023, who raised concerns about Nunia’s condition following a botched spay surgery. The surgery had been carried out on July 4.
The vet reviewed the case and found that Nunia’s spay wound had initially broken open and was treated by a veterinarian. However, after a second breakdown of the wound, Hiscova took matters into her own hands and stitched the wound herself with cotton thread. The vet described this as an “inhumane” act, noting that suturing a wound on a conscious animal would have been both distressing and painful, requiring significant restraint and handling. The vet emphasized that this procedure caused unnecessary suffering and trauma to Nunia.
When the cat was brought in, she appeared quiet but alert. Her wound had a necrotic smell, and the vet had to debride and resuture it. Nunia was also passing blood in her urine, raising concerns about damage to her bladder and potential peritonitis. Upon further examination, the vet found that Nunia’s bladder was severely damaged, with around 80% of it showing signs of hemorrhage. However, no peritonitis was detected. The vet concluded that the trauma to the bladder was likely the result of Hiscova’s improper restraint during the procedure.
In mitigation, the court heard that Hiscova had faced financial difficulties and challenges in her personal life, which had contributed to her decision to perform the procedure herself, having already spent significant amounts on vet visits.
Hiscova was sentenced to 17 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to complete ten Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days. She was also required to pay a £154 victim surcharge at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on February 11.
RSPCA Inspector Vicki Taylor, who investigated the case, stated, “Pets are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and that they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege, and ensuring appropriate veterinary care when needed is a key responsibility.”
Nunia has since recovered and is under the care of the RSPCA.
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