CONVICTED (2021) | Habib Siddique, born c. 1990, of Rooley Lane, Bradford BD5 8JH – left a cat in agony with an unexplained leg fracture.

Siddique was proven guilty in his absence and appeared in court after being arrested on warrant following an RSPCA investigation.

Inspector Emma Ellis, who investigated, first visited a property in Sunbridge Road, Bradford, on February 14, 2020.

She said: “I observed a black and white domestic shorthair male cat called Misho. Misho had a very obvious problem with the hind left leg with the bone sticking out as he walked. He was walking around but each step he took caused the bone to stick out at right angles to his leg.

“I asked Mr Siddique what had happened and he told me that the cat had been dumped on him and his friend around six to seven months ago. He said at that time the cat had a broken leg and a broken jaw. He said he took the cat to the PDSA and was told the cat needed to be put to sleep.

He said he didn’t agree with them so he brought the cat home. He said he put a bandage on the leg and gave the cat “water and love” and it has now healed. He confirmed that he had received no medication from the vet.”

Inspector Ellis then took Misho to be assessed by a vet where the vet confirmed he had a broken femur which had not healed and was still causing the cat pain. An X-ray was taken and the vet advised that the leg would need to be amputated.

The court heard how the vet report stated that Misho was in a good body condition, with a left femoral fracture which resulted in an abnormal gait and an obvious lameness. The end of the fracture was also not in correct alignment and there was movement of bones at the fracture site.

The report continued: “It is clear from both examination of the cat and the radiographic examination that Misho has a fractured femur. While I would not expect a lay person to be able to make that diagnosis, it was plainly obvious to any reasonable person he was lame and walking abnormally. The changes seen indicate that this injury has been present for several months, but it is not possible from the x-rays or clinical examination to be more specific as to a time frame for the injury. Leaving this fracture to heal will inevitably lead to prolonged unnecessary suffering and result in a mal union that will inevitably leave the cat with chronic residual pain when weight bearing. I am therefore of the opinion that this cat has suffered considerable unnecessary suffering in the form of pain over several months as a result of the owner’s failure to treat the leg appropriately.”

In mitigation, Siddique said he felt he had looked after Misho and was worried that a vet would have put Misho to sleep.

Sadly Misho was put to sleep for severe behavioural issues which meant he would not have been able to be rehomed.

Sentencing: 12 month community order with 275 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £215 in costs and a £95 surcharge. He was also banned from keeping all animals indefinitely and he cannot appeal this for a period of at least three years.

Telegraph & Argus