Watch CBS News

Cat Saved From Steel-Jawed Trap Later Euthanized

COVINA (CBSLA/AP) — A kitten caught in a rusty steel-jawed trap had to be euthanized because it was also underweight and unable to eat on its own.

Deputies Jorge Romero and Jose Mora arrived at a Covina home Thanksgiving morning after a woman reported she thought a cat was being abused.

They followed the kitten's wailing, which had been heard for several days, to a home where they knocked on the door.

When nobody answered they climbed a fence and found the animal with a badly injured paw caught in the trap.

The deputies used screw drivers to pry open the trap, and stayed to comfort the kitten until animal control officers arrived.

Sheriff's Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez said Friday the trap was placed by a koi pond, apparently to protect fish. Deputies are investigating whether that's legal.

The kitten's paw was not severed, but it was severely injured, underweight and unable to eat on its own, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Based on medical staff evaluation, the kitten was later euthanized.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.