Animal cruelty? Outrage after model gets sphynx cat tattooed

A Ukrainian bodybuilder is under investigation for animal cruelty after tattooing her cat to make it look 'as glamorous' as her. Photo / Instagram

A Ukrainian bodybuilder is under investigation for animal cruelty after tattooing her cat to make it look "as glamorous" as her.

Elena Ivanickaya from Chernihiv in northwest Ukraine, had an image of a winged Egyptian inked onto her pet sphynx's chest.

Photos show the hairless moggy unconscious under anaesthetic as the tattoo artist carries out his work, the MailOnline reported.

Tat cat: Elena Ivanickaya from Chernihiv in northwest Ukraine, has come under fire after having her Sphynx cat tattooed. Photo / Instagram

But after the pics appeared online, furious followers slammed the woman, accusing her of torturing the cat.

Fuming Inna Milovanova wrote: "Would be better to ink her forehead with a tattoo saying 'Idiot' and break her finger for torturing a defenseless animal, poor kitty."

Animal cruelty? Photos posted on the bodybuilder's Instagram story show the hairless moggy unconscious under anaesthetic as the tattoo artist carries out his work. Photo / Instagram

Outraged viewer tatakuksa posted: "You just can't torture those who are weaker then you, it is not a toy, it is a living being. She did not put a tattoo on her chest."

Ivanickaya hit back, saying the spoiled cat, which has it's own Instagram page and eats fresh oysters, leads a better life than the people complaining.

She also said the cat wasn't harmed in any way.

Defence: Ms Ivanickaya says her cat did not come to any harm and that she spoils the pet. Photo / Instagram

She said: "This cat's life is better then yours. Maybe it is hell for you, but he feels just fine.

"He has not been castrated and he never will be, this would be real cruelty.

"I checked with the vet before getting him a tattoo and they were fine with it and a vet was present while they were doing the tattoo, so everything was under control."

She added: "The cat is treated with love and care.

"He is very smart and enjoys his happy life. The tattoo was made on the upper layer of skin.

"Only 1-2 millimetres, he did not feel any pain. Right after the procedure he behaved normally and started to go on with his normal routine."

Spoiled: She says her cat lives a better life than those who slammed her for having it tattooed. Photo / Instagram

But the blonde who describes herself as a "fitness athlete" could now face charges of animal cruelty.

Police spokesman Natalia Chovpylo said: "If we establish that the animal was tortured, we will open a criminal case."