Woman fails to seek vet for dying cat

A 74-year-old Tauranga woman, who failed to seek treatment for a cat which developed cancer of the nose and mouth, has been convicted of reckless ill-treatment .

Tangiora Leef, who was sentenced to 60 hours' community work in Tauranga District Court earlier this week, has also been ordered to pay $70.60 reparation to Tauranga SPCA for veterinary costs.

Below is a graphic image of the cat when it was taken into care.

Leef's offending came to light when SPCA Inspector Nathalie Visser attended Leef's Brookfield home on June 18 last year responding to a report of a cat with severe facial injuries.

Upon inspection, the cat's nose area was found to be obliterated to the extent that the inner nasal passages and upper palette of the mouth were affected.

Leef told the inspector she had taken on the care of the stray cat two months earlier.

The cat developed squamous cell carcinoma (cancer of the nose and face), but despite knowing the animal was in pain and being urged by family members to have it put down, she failed to seek veterinary treatment.

Leef willingly surrendered to the animal inspector.

After an examination by a veterinarian the cat was euthanased to end its suffering.

A stray cat which developed cancer of the nose and mouth was left suffering in pain. Photo supplied by Tauranga SPCA

The veterinarian advised Tauranga SPCA the disease would have been present for at least 3 to 4 months and at the time of examination the cat was experiencing severe pain - a pain level of four on a scale of one to five.

Tauranga SPCA inspector Jason Blair said this prosecution case served as a reminder to anyone taking on the care of an animal they must meet their legal obligations.

That means w not only means providing adequate housing, and food and water but also seeking veterinary care when the animal becomes sick or injured, he said.

"Taking on the care of the cat was initially an act of kindness however failure to meet her legal obligation to provide treatment resulted in severe and prolonged pain and suffering for this animal."