The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS) has cautioned pet parents to be extra vigilant with their beloved animals, after a cat crept into a tumble dryer and died from the injuries sustained.
The accident happened in Hanover Park in Cape Town on Wednesday, 7 July – and is not the first time such an incident has occurred. Cats are notoriously curious and quiet, making it difficult to track their movements.
According to AWS, the cat owner accidentally locked her cat in the tumble dryer for 10 minutes and by the time she noticed the cat frantically trying to escape it was almost too late.
“The cat was admitted frothing from the mouth due to extensive concussion from the constant tumbling, had suffered irreparable brain damage (due to oxygen deprivation), had collapsed lungs (due to inhalation of hot air) and a host of other serious internal injuries and external burns from the hot metal drum,” said AWS in a post on Facebook.
The family were distraught and traumatised from the accident – and had to opt to put the cat down and end its suffering.
AWS said this is not an isolated incident, especially during the cold winter months.
“Pets crave a warm and draft-free place to sleep and we have rescued and treated many who were found stuck in washing machines and under car bonnets.We still vividly recall three cats who sustained 3rd degree burns from being trapped in a tumble drier. They were literally cooked alive and the extent of their injuries was so severe that they do not bear repeating,” they said.
Pet owners need to be cautious in winter when pets seek warmth in nooks and crannies.
“The aim of this post is to remind all pet owners to be constantly aware of the whereabouts of their pets especially cats and kittens who are instinctively inquisitive, adorably mischievous and love nothing more than to seek out a cosy place to rest – sometimes to their detriment,” cautioned AWS.
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