A CAT had a lucky escape from injury earlier this week after getting its head stuck in a rat bait box – with vets having to cut the feline free from the vermin trap.

The female moggy, who was found at Paddock Farm Nursery in Dalton-on-Tees, near Darlington, on Monday (March 14) in a distressed state, became wedged after trying to investigate the inside of the bait box.

After exploring the trap, the cat almost got her whole head stuck, with RSPCA animal rescue officer, Ruth Thomas-Coxon, coming to the rescue to save the day.

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Within a few minutes of getting to the scene, Ruth and other RSPCA officers took the pet to a veterinary hospital in Darlington, where staff were able to free her using a saw and anaesthetic.

The RSPCA officer said: “When I got to the garden centre a member of the public had already tried to free the cat, but she was in a lot of distress and was jumping around with the box on her head.

“The cat was very stressed; the whole of her head was through the hole of the bait box, and she had suffered injuries to her paws as she was trying to escape. It must have been terrifying for her.

The Northern Echo: The cat got its head wedged near Darlington earlier this week, but was rescued by RSPCA officers. Picture: RSPCA.The cat got its head wedged near Darlington earlier this week, but was rescued by RSPCA officers. Picture: RSPCA.

“The bait box was in a yard at the back of the centre, and it is likely the cat was looking for food and had peered into it. Fortunately, there wasn’t any poison inside.

“I took her to Stanhope Park Veterinary Hospital where she underwent a 15-minute procedure to remove the box.”

Following the ordeal, the animal charity is now looking for the owner of the cat, who is not microchipped.

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During the incident, the feline suffered damage to her claws, some of which were completely broken, and, after the bait box was removed, she was treated with antibiotics.

She has been named Aubrey and is now in the care of the RSPCA.

Mrs Thomas-Coxon added: “I’ve put up a found poster up at the centre and posted on petslocated.com in case she does have an owner. But she may be feral and if that is the case, we will release her near to where she was found.

The Northern Echo: Left: Vets in Stanhope managed to perform surgery on the cat to remove the rat bait box. Right: The cat, who has been named Aubrey, is now looking for its owner. Picture: RSPCA.Left: Vets in Stanhope managed to perform surgery on the cat to remove the rat bait box. Right: The cat, who has been named Aubrey, is now looking for its owner. Picture: RSPCA.

“We would say that if any traps are used to catch rats or mice, people need to be vigilant and they need to be checked on a regular basis, at least twice a day.”

The RSPCA wants people to use humane deterrents for dealing with “unwanted rats and mice” and says care should be taken to avoid harming non-target animals. In many cases, deterrence methods such as preventing access, removing food sources, or increased human activity can be more effective than lethal control.

If you have any information about Aubrey, the RSPCA’s appeals line can be contacted on 0300 123 8018.

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