'Sick and disgusting' – that's the opinion of Dawlish woman Alex Mills, whose seven-month-old cat was subjected to a bizarre attack last week.
When Tally, a white and tortoiseshell female, returned home last Thurday evening just 45 minutes after leaving her Warren Road home, she had been covered in a curry-like substance and several clumps of her fur had been cut off. The base of her tail showed signs of being singed and a subsequent vet inspection revealed bruising to the tail.
Ms Mills described the moment when Tally came home saying: 'I was really upset. I thought it was blood at first. I telephoned my boyfriend and said 'Someone's done something to Tally.
'It was terrible. Her heart was beating wildly and she was shaking. I think it's sick and disgusting that anyone can do anything like this to an animal.'
PC Deborah Richards was one of two officers who visited Ms Mills and her boyfriend, Ian Williams, the following morning. She was also taken aback by the assault and said: 'It's worrying that someone has taken out their stress on an innocent animal like Tally, who is such a loving cat. It makes me worry what this person could do next, and I would urge anyone with any information to contact the police immediately.'
Ms Mills can think of no motive for the attack and they are worried that it might happen again.
During the incident, Tally's electronic collar – which opens the cat flap – and her identification barrel was removed, something which happened to Tally's twin sister just a week before.
' I don't like the fact that the attacker has now got all of our contact details.
Despite a door-to-door check no witnesses to the attack have come forward and police are hoping that the incident is a one-off. Anyone with information should contact Teignmouth Police.