Police seek owners of cat fatally hit by patrol car

File photo / NZ Herald

Police are on the hunt for the owners of a black moggie which had to be put down after suffering serious injuries when it was hit by a patrol car in west Auckland.

A police officer was driving a patrol car along Lincoln Rd towards Sanson Rd in Henderson on Friday when the black cat ran out onto the road.

The cat received multiple fractures in the accident and had to be put down on Sunday.

Waitakere Police sergeant Michael Lawes said officers stopped and began an immediate search for the cat after it was hit and found the animal with a broken leg.

It was taken to the Auckland Emergency Vet on Rosebank Rd in Avondale.

The owners have not yet been found because it was not microchipped, he said.

"He had to be put down but we're still quite keen to find out who the owners are.

"This is obviously not the ending we wanted and we're sorry if we got anyone's hopes up.

"We had a lot of media interest in the story of this cat, and thanks to everyone for your help, but despite our best efforts this is the sad outcome."

The neutered cat was a short-haired male, about 12 to 15 years old.

SPCA spokeswoman Andrea Midgen said the cat's injuries were too severe for it to be treated.

"The cat had multiple fractures to its pelvis so it was in a lot of pain and it wasn't something that was going to be repairable.

"Unfortunately the best thing we could do for the animal was to put it down."

Call Mr Lawes on (09) 839 0600 if you think you are the owner.