Cat found with 'horrendous burns' in Blackburn park
8:50am Wednesday 10th November 2010 in News
SHOCKING: The horriffic burns suffered by Whiskers the cat who was found in Corporation Park
A CAT 'left to die' with ‘horrendous burns’ in a Blackburn park could have had a firework tied to its tail.
The stricken animal was discovered inside a cardboard box by a dog walker yesterday after he heard its cries of pain from under a bush in Corporation Park.
She had suffered ‘severe burns’ to her head, neck, face and feet and had been ‘left for dead’, according to vets who have examined the pet.
The resident took it to his local vets Abbeydale in Preston New Road at 12.15pm where nursing manager Lianne Lowe and her team examined it.
They found the cat was microchipped and registered to an address in Blackburn, but the named owners are no longer at the address. The black and white short-haired cat is called Whiskers and vets think it is around six to seven years old.
Lianne, 26, said: “It has got vast wounds, which at first we thought could have been from somebody pouring acid over it.
“But after looking again, it has the tip of its tail missing and a tooth. We think, given it was bonfire night, that someone has tied a firework to its tail. It has tried to chew it off and the firework has exploded in its face.
“The wounds are a few days old as they are starting to scan and they cover about 50 per cent of its body. This is up there with the worst cases I have seen.
“We’ve given her food and water because she was starving and have started treating her wounds. We will have to see if there is any internal damage done.
“The burns are so bad I couldn’t tell what colour it was when one of our clients brought it in. All the staff here were horrified.
“We see quite a lot of cruelty cases. There’s some nasty people out there and we have to highlight these cases to the public and to the authorities because research shows a huge link between people who abuse animals and people who abuse children.”
Blackburn with Darwen Council parks manager Eddie Maxwell said parks staff had been left disgusted.
He said: "There was no real attempt to hide the box. It was dumped under a bush just off one of the main paths through the park.
“Whoever caused these injuries wants putting in jail.”
Police are now studying CCTV from the park and the RSPCA is also investigating.
Contact Abbeydale vets on 01254 681811 or police on 0845 1 253545.
Comments(35)
time.team
says...
11:06am Wed 10 Nov 10
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Fireworks should be taken off the shelves and those selling show some concern as to the possible eventual use. They are dangerous in the wrong hands and the whole affair should be replaced with council run events or licensed. Although some would say it to be extreme there is a very good cause for making it against the law to sell and own them. But it would be wrong to take childish pastimes off children entirely so why not make the event purely a family concern that can be enjoyed for the right reasons?
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Children will be children - even the mentally disarranged ones!
Rovers_1875
says...
11:11am Wed 10 Nov 10
slammer wrote:well said and see wot pain the evil sod goes thru tryin to pull it out
Wants putting in jail? No that thing wants a large cheap chinese firecracker up the jacksey.
tenerc
says...
12:29pm Wed 10 Nov 10
fireworks should NOT be sold in paper shops, or shops setup just for the night (king street) they should not be sold single, only in boxes that cost OVER £50, and from high street shop, my local paper shop had 5 Screachers for £1!!!!
never mind the argument "but if your a single mum on benifits you can`t afford £50 blah blah blah" if you are then why waste your money on fireworks, i don`t buy them, i watch other peoples from my house.
wing commander bomber harris
says...
1:39pm Wed 10 Nov 10
explosive + retard (and there are plenty about) = stupidity like this
Catkin
says...
1:56pm Wed 10 Nov 10
wing commander bomber harris
says...
2:13pm Wed 10 Nov 10
Catkin wrote:i went to the fireworks at witton park and the where fantastic. I paid a pound and it was money well spent. Everything else after, fired by the general public, was pretty pathetic.
I agree with everything said here; it's written about and said every year and yet never taken seriously by the authorities. Organised displays would definitely be safer and cut down on the number of fire crackers/rockets etc that get set off down back alleys and in parks in the days following fireworks going on sale. Whether it be kids, bored or brain dead teenagers, or drunken 'adults', they rarely crap on their own doorsteps. It can be frightening for the elderly and children, as well as pets. With cats it can be difficult - unless house cat(s), keeping them in can be a problem, but people should really take more resonsibility for owning any pet (dog crap covering pavements is an example). The people that appear to have abondoned this poor cat should be traced, questioned and if they have moved and dumped their 'beloved pet', heavily fined. Saddest of all is that if any one is caught for this atrocious act of cruellty, they'll probably be too young to name/prosecute, their parents probably won't give a **** (and in that instance should be held accountable instead), or if old enough, they'll probably just be cautioned or fined some stupid piddling amount. Sometimes there's just no justice. They should be made to do community service in an animal shelter, however old they are as well as receive a very hefty fine (which could help councils' huge spending cuts, possiby!). OK getting off my soap box now.
GrindletonBob
says...
2:30pm Wed 10 Nov 10
pumagirl
says...
3:05pm Wed 10 Nov 10
retired one
says...
4:42pm Wed 10 Nov 10
The health and safety brigade haven't done anything to stop the sale of them in local shops. They should be sold for organised displays only because in the wrong hands they can be lethal.
chocky
says...
4:56pm Wed 10 Nov 10
a pathetically lenient sentance.
ste.g
says...
6:34pm Wed 10 Nov 10
theavenger2008
says...
7:44pm Wed 10 Nov 10
Interesting how Leanne Lowe, vet nurse stated that animal abusers go on to abuse children, did she get a psychology degree at the same time as her NVQ in Vet nursing? and why does she call the cat an 'it' consistently. On a serious note, I hope the person/people responsible are caught and prosecuted.
useyourhead
says...
7:58pm Wed 10 Nov 10
retired one wrote:they are too busy with REAL dangers in society, like conkers and heavy satchels ;)
Fireworks are dangerous, they are explosives that can be bought over the counter. The health and safety brigade haven't done anything to stop the sale of them in local shops. They should be sold for organised displays only because in the wrong hands they can be lethal.
rope
says...
11:07pm Wed 10 Nov 10
So lets hope that when their time comes they will be greeted with the same torture and pain that whisker's suffered. I hope to god that she makes a full recovery and i wish her well.
AnthonyUK
says...
7:17am Thu 11 Nov 10
retired one wrote:It's not the fireworks that are the problem;it's the people that misuse them that should be penalised. Also by banning them not only do you ban legal retail/mailorder sales you also open up the floodgates to blackmarket sales of untested uncertified import fireworks of unknown origin which could be more dangerous than what is sold, that is the sole reason why many governments in the UK refuse to ban their sale to the public via retail outlets and mailorder. Also on the back of a sales ban to the public you could get some really determined idiots trying to make their own fireworks using household chemicals and substances risking housefires/explosion
Fireworks are dangerous, they are explosives that can be bought over the counter. The health and safety brigade haven't done anything to stop the sale of them in local shops. They should be sold for organised displays only because in the wrong hands they can be lethal.
s etc and risking harm to themselves and spectators watching the home-made devices if they malfunction/go wrong. I used a number of large Cat3 25m BS7114:part2:1988 compliant consumer retail display fireworks quite responsibly to put on displays at two parties I went to last weekend and nobody got injured;that sort of responsible use shouldn't be frowned on because a few clowns do this or cause other atrocities with fireworks.
J.C.
says...
8:32am Thu 11 Nov 10
AnthonyUK
says...
9:23am Thu 11 Nov 10
J.C. wrote:You're a spoilsport and killjoy! The govt will NOT listen to you and ban them.
Fireworks are explosives and should not be sold to the public. Only licenced people and organisers should be able to buy them. Too many people mis-use them and cause unnecessary damage and injury and as far as this cat is concerned, torture!!!
AnthonyUK
says...
9:24am Thu 11 Nov 10
J.C. wrote:Also you idiot, the council cannot afford to put on lots of Nov5th displays!
Fireworks are explosives and should not be sold to the public. Only licenced people and organisers should be able to buy them. Too many people mis-use them and cause unnecessary damage and injury and as far as this cat is concerned, torture!!!
J.C.
says...
9:49am Thu 11 Nov 10
I never said anything about the Council putting on firework displays and I would rather that they didn't spend my Council Tax on Fireworks. Organisers could put them on and charge the public for entry.
Is there any real need for fireworks to be sold to anyone to keep people like you amused?
I think not!!! Don't ever come on here again calling me an idiot you cretin!!!
J.C.
says...
9:50am Thu 11 Nov 10
AnthonyUK wrote:AnthonyUK....don't call me an idiot for a start.
J.C. wrote: Fireworks are explosives and should not be sold to the public. Only licenced people and organisers should be able to buy them. Too many people mis-use them and cause unnecessary damage and injury and as far as this cat is concerned, torture!!!Also you idiot, the council cannot afford to put on lots of Nov5th displays!
I never said anything about the Council putting on firework displays and I would rather that they didn't spend my Council Tax on Fireworks. Organisers could put them on and charge the public for entry.
Is there any real need for fireworks to be sold to anyone to keep people like you amused?
I think not!!! Don't ever come on here again calling me an idiot you cretin!!!
AnthonyUK
says...
9:59am Thu 11 Nov 10
J.C. wrote:You are not listening! the Govt refuses to ban the sale of fireworks because of the fear they have over the blackmarket sellers taking over legal sales selling dangerous import fireworks to the public(this won't be easy to control/regulate and would make a mockery of such a ban if it cannot be stopped easily;also the police have better things to do than chase odd fireworks being lit so won't prioritise on it),also many organisations have stopped doing displays because of excessive on OTT h&s regulations/rules the councils place on them for hosting such events,and the Govt also fear what accidents could happen if idiots decide to make their own in the face of a ban. They also don't like penalising the sensible majority from enjoying private fireworks of their own;of which I'am one of them. The law should come down on the idiots and roguetraders and shopkeepers flouting the law NOT punishing the sensible users!
AnthonyUK wrote:AnthonyUK....don't call me an idiot for a start. I never said anything about the Council putting on firework displays and I would rather that they didn't spend my Council Tax on Fireworks. Organisers could put them on and charge the public for entry. Is there any real need for fireworks to be sold to anyone to keep people like you amused? I think not!!! Don't ever come on here again calling me an idiot you cretin!!!J.C. wrote: Fireworks are explosives and should not be sold to the public. Only licenced people and organisers should be able to buy them. Too many people mis-use them and cause unnecessary damage and injury and as far as this cat is concerned, torture!!!Also you idiot, the council cannot afford to put on lots of Nov5th displays!
useyourhead
says...
10:44am Thu 11 Nov 10
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it is the culprits that need removing from society, not the fireworks!
time.team
says...
12:54pm Thu 11 Nov 10
Only the responsible will buy them won’t they and use them as stated on the instructions. No, morons without brains will buy them as well.
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But they could kill themselves?
Boom!
If only!
AnthonyUK
says...
1:21pm Thu 11 Nov 10
time.team wrote:Like I say, govt refuses to ban them because of illegal blackmarket sale of dangerous import fireworks and the chance that idiots who could make their own,also the govt refuses to ban because they realise the sensible users don't do stupid things with them-instead of picking on the sensible majority of people as you are,why don't you get at the govt and stop blatantly blaming everyone else for a few clowns! Also many organisations have stopped putting on displays because of too many OTT overzealous h&s killjoy rules/regulations thrown at them by local authorities making the bother of doing an event too much of a faff and disaster!
The justifications for allowing dangerous fireworks to be sold to the general public is insane! In which case why not sell ‘grenades’ at your local shopping centre as well? Only the responsible will buy them won’t they and use them as stated on the instructions. No, morons without brains will buy them as well. - But they could kill themselves? Boom! If only!
makaveli96
says...
1:34pm Thu 11 Nov 10
J.C.
says...
1:39pm Thu 11 Nov 10
useyourhead wrote:Usually an item that would cause damage like a knife or screwdriver would be classed as an offensive weapon if you are carrying one on the street with you. Knifes are sold to cut food and other purposes. Screwdrivers are designed to drive screws and fireworks are designed to explode!!!
if you are sick, like the specimins that did this, you can look along the shelves of any shop and find a product or utensil capable of causing harm to an animal. are we going to ban everything that could be used innappropriately?
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it is the culprits that need removing from society, not the fireworks!
Fireworks should be banned. Guns are banned but still used by criminals. Harsh penalties for those caught with explosives. Don't get me wrong, I like a firework display but I don't appreciate the way they are misused in this country by louts!!!
time.team
says...
2:16pm Thu 11 Nov 10
But they could kill themselves?
Boom!
If only!
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Fireworks are dangerous by their design and if fireworks were illegal then those silly enough to buy ‘unsafe’ fireworks that may harm themselves or others and would if used be prosecuted. To a greater extent that’s why unlicensed firearms are illegal and by your judgement they should be legalised also. If not please pause for one moment and ask yourself - why not? There lies the answer.
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Fireworks are supposed to be bought to amuse children and should be produced to meet that specification. If not, which definitely is the case. Who but the irresponsible would ever buy them knowing the dangers?
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However, if you’re a irresponsible retailer why should they care?
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Keep well - Last try, brick wall comes to mind?
AnthonyUK
says...
2:26pm Thu 11 Nov 10
time.team wrote:Fireworks are manufactured to BS7114 part 2 1988 and in general proper use of them does not cause problems-stop blaming other people! I have NOT said unlicensed firearms should be legalised. You are a killjoy! You refuse to see the fact that there aren't lots of organised displays because of excessive h&s rules/regulations thrown at organisers by councils/local authorities and the public liability insurance and stuff required to host it makes organising nightmare,and there is NO licensing scheme for such events either-it would be costly and the way money is flowing at present with cuts etc,nothing is forthcoming on that front or will be, it's just another unnecessary quango that won't see light of day!
Like I say: But they could kill themselves? Boom! If only! - Fireworks are dangerous by their design and if fireworks were illegal then those silly enough to buy ‘unsafe’ fireworks that may harm themselves or others and would if used be prosecuted. To a greater extent that’s why unlicensed firearms are illegal and by your judgement they should be legalised also. If not please pause for one moment and ask yourself - why not? There lies the answer. - Fireworks are supposed to be bought to amuse children and should be produced to meet that specification. If not, which definitely is the case. Who but the irresponsible would ever buy them knowing the dangers? - However, if you’re a irresponsible retailer why should they care? - Keep well - Last try, brick wall comes to mind?
woolywords
says...
7:41pm Thu 11 Nov 10
We had a whale of a time and am sure he would join me in thanking those whom organised it.
However, we have the issue at hand..
In a post, theavenger2008 queries Vet Nurse, Leanne Lowes' qualification to make such a comment, as those whom abuse animals, go on to abuse children.
I would like to point out that, as far as I am aware that, studies conducted in the US and Canada evince,
•60-71% of battered women reported that their abusive partners threatened, harmed, or murdered their pets, and the majority of these incidents occurred in front of the women and/or their children.
•25-48% of those subjected to domestic violence delayed leaving their abusive partners for fear of what they would do to their pets.
The figures vary due to differing surveys, in each country.
However, an FBI report makes an assertion that, 'there is a definative link between, 'serial killers, in adulthood and animal abuse during early years, in our specimen group..'.
Perhaps, Leanne is more well read than the casual observer may suppose and in spite of her lowly job, she holds that one true thing that cannot be learned from a book, the self-evident fact that, she cares.
planahath
says...
1:52am Fri 12 Nov 10
rustproof
says...
1:18pm Fri 12 Nov 10
mazx4
says...
11:42pm Fri 12 Nov 10
Tazz360
says...
12:28pm Sat 13 Nov 10
AnthonyUK
says...
7:43am Mon 15 Nov 10
mazx4 wrote:Are you listening dogooder? The govt will not ban the sale of fireworks to the public because if they did the blackmarket would only take over legal sales with dangerous and very powerful blackmarket import fireworks and the Govt refuse to ban because of the everpresent risk that idiots could try to concoct their own fireworks in the face of such a sale ban from household substances and chemicals and a little know how from the internet resulting in serious fatal burns and injuries along with devastating explosions and/or housefires plus the danger that those home-made devices could injure the person setting them off or spectators watching them if they malfunction or go wrong. I know somebody who has been injured through making home-made fireworks;he made one and it didn't go and he smashed it against a wall and a piece of metal shard flew off and ended up embedded in his neck-so you still think injuries and fatalities from homemade fireworks are worth the price of a sales ban on fireworks to the public do you? You are sad if you think that. Also many organisations nowadays refuse to organise fireworks displays because of excessive overzealous OTT h&s rules and regulations thrown out by BwDBC and other local authorities around the country which they throw at those organisations wishing to organise such events with conditions such as having the police and firebrigade present at the events at all times and only allowing professional companies to set off fireworks for those events(and what you may not realise is that not everybody can afford to get professionals in to do the fireworks either). If I was in charge of BwDBC I would cut through the redtape and h&s guff and allow organisations to run events themselves and buy and purchase display kits to host displays themselves without excessive rules and regulations with the following provisos:
poor thing , i cant stand people who are cruel to animals , fireworks should be banned to public and they should only be used by organised bonfires . we saw a group of lads holding fire works and waiting for them to explode i so wished there hands went with a bang but it didnt there stupid and want prosicuting
(a)The people setting off the fireworks buy BS7114 part2 1988 compliant fireworks,
(b)They follow the recommended safety distances for those fireworks;5m upwind for retail garden fireworks,25m upwind for retail display fireworks, and a 30m distance for displays featuring both types of fireworks used at the same time ie a party pack or garden party display kit or selection boxes containing both garden and display retail fireworks,
(c)The firers watch a video and train their firers on what to do,
(d)The people setting off the fireworks put up suitable barriers to keep people back which can be cones and tape/plastic barriers/steel barriers/rope and bumbling pins etc,
(d)The people setting off the fireworks set up according to prevailing winds and have their spectators stand 5m/25m or 30m upwind of the fireworks ie backs to the prevailing winds,
(e)The people setting off the fireworks ensure that fireworks are firmly embedded where necessary so they don't tip over/rockets and other aerial fireworks are angled AWAY from spectators, and where fireworks don't need burying they are placed on suitable level surfaces,
(f)The people setting off the fireworks wear suitable ppe at all times while lighting;safety glasses and gloves for displays of garden fireworks and a hard hat with built in faceshields and gloves while displaying with retail display fireworks and displays featuring both garden and display fireworks,
(g)The people doing the display clear up any debris and rubbish left behind afterwards and make sure the site is safe before leaving.
Those steps for people wanting to host public displays are better than many councils rules and regulations as they stand.
slammer says...
11:02am Wed 10 Nov 10
No that thing wants a large cheap chinese firecracker up the jacksey.