A cat’s tail detached from its body after it was deliberately flung through the air ‘like a helicopter’.
Vets had to surgically remove two-year-old Pumpkin’s tail because it had separated from her spine in the sustained and brutal abuse.
Her distraught owner Evelyn Rayner had discovered the cat cowering under a duvet in agony.
She rushed her to the vets with a swollen tail where the full extent of Pumpkin’s injuries was revealed through x-rays.
Evelyn, 31, said: ‘The vet showed me the x-rays and explained this was not an accident – it was intentional.
‘When he said that, I just started crying.
‘He confirmed someone deliberately picked her up and flung her around until her tail became separated from her spine – we are lucky she can walk.
‘It could have been a random person, a neighbour, a kid – but they were doing it for a while.’
Pumpkin’s injuries were so extensive that her tail could no be saved.
‘It’s a long road to recovery, two weeks until the stitches are removed, and months until her nerve endings heal,’ said Evelyn.
‘It has changed how I walk down the road, I’ve lost my trust in everybody. It could have been anyone.’
Mum-of-one Evelyn from Oulton Broad in Norfolk believes Pumpkin’s friendly nature could have left her vulnerable to attack.
She has chosen to keep the cause of Pumpkin’s injury a secret from her eight-year-old daughter Kaitlyn.
Evelyn said: ‘Pumpkin is very friendly but doesn’t go far from the house because she’s quite shy.
‘Her friendliness could have been her downfall – she probably walked right up to the person.’
The RSPCA is investigating the incident and has asked anyone with information to get in touch.
A spokesman said: ‘It is awful to think that someone has deliberately swung a cat by their tail.
‘It is completely unacceptable to treat a cat in this way and we would urge anyone who has any information as to who may have done this to Pumpkin to call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.’