A FLIXTON family's much-loved pet cat has had its leg amputated after she got caught in a gruesome metal animal-trap.

Angela Scott from Mardale Avenue became concerned for the welfare of Mimi the cat after she failed to return home after being out overnight.

Neighbours from nearby Moorside Road discovered Mimi by their front gate, shaking with terror and with a large rusty metal animal trap clamped onto her paw.

After taking her to the vets the couple went knocking on the doors of all the adjacent roads to try and find her owners.

"It was really good of them to come looking for us" a heartbroken Angela told SUM "Mimi had been missing all day and it wasn't like her, so we knew something must be wrong".

The Scott family rushed to see their beloved cat at the vet's surgery and were shown the trap that had ensnared her.

At first it was hoped that surgery would save her - but after the swelling eventually died down, the vet told them for her to survive, the leg would have to be amputated.

"The alternative was to have her put to sleep which just wasn't an option, she belongs to my 12 year-old daughter Sarah and we love her too much," said Angela "but at the end of the day we've all paid for someone else's evil".

The Scott's believe the trap must be fairly close to their road as Mimi would not have been able to drag her leg far.

"She was obviously trying to get home, but was in too much pain to make it the whole way" said Angela "If anyone reads this knows who is laying these traps I hope their conscious is pricked and they ring the police or RSPCA. Imagine if it had been a child who stepped on it."

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