Cat unable to close eyes after horrific acid attack

By James Gamble

An animal charity is desperately raising money for an operation on a cat who was horrifically attacked with acid and left unable to close his eyes.

Bert was brought into the care of charity Protected Paws around two months ago after being spotted on the streets of Windsor, Berks.

The tomcat, believed to be aged between eight and 12, was brought to specialists who confirmed the unfortunate feline had been attacked with acid.

Bert underwent surgery to allow him to close his eyes, as ulcers continually form around them, but the operation failed.

He now requires further surgeries to graft skin to his forehead and allow him to finally close his eyes.

Kerry Flynn, a veterinary nurse and founder of Protected Paws - which has saved over 3,000 animals in the two years since its foundation - explained: "It's really sad… It's a really horrible situation.

"A lady sent us a picture of him and explained that she saw him on the street with injuries to his face.

"At first, we thought it would be a wound. He was brought to my surgery.

"Doctors tried to reopen the wound to see if the skin would heal and allow the eyes to close.

"But, unfortunately, it didn't work. There wasn't enough skin for the wound to heal."

A specialist vet at the Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre told them he'd seen similar injuries before, saying someone had deliberately thrown acid into poor Ralph's face.

"Bert's super friendly," Flynn, 34, said.

"He has been an owned animal at some point in his life, because he's so tame, and ended up on the street.

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"I have never seen acid burns to a cat before.

"I have seen sexual assault on cats, cats shot with pellet guns - but never acid.

"It's such an unusual injury. He can't close his eyes at all.

"He can't blink properly and is getting ulcers from the dryness of his eyes, causing unimaginable pain.

"We can't leave him like that."

Flynn said Bert needs multiple doses of eye drops each day, which cost around £40 a week.

He now requires an operation that will graft skin from another part of his body onto his forehead, which could require three surgeries.

Protected Paws is now trying to raise $3,500 for Bert's first surgery at the Ralph, with extra donations going towards subsequent surgeries.

"We don't feel he's ready for euthanasia," Flynn said.

"He's really happy and content. Other than his face, he's actually quite healthy now.

"Bert is already booked in for surgery on the 9th of September..

"He has already endured another surgery and a dental, bringing his vet bills to £5,000 and yet he still needs more to give him the chance of a life without agony.

"But we think he's worth it."

Bert is living with a foster family for the time being.