BRADFORD MAN HABIB SIDDIQUE SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO CAT WITH UNHEALED LEG FRACTURE
Habib Siddique, a resident of Bradford, has been convicted of animal cruelty after neglecting a cat named Misho, who was found suffering from a severe leg injury that had gone untreated for months.The incident came to light during an investigation conducted by the RSPCA, which ultimately led to Siddique's arrest and subsequent court proceedings.
On February 14, 2020, Inspector Emma Ellis visited a property on Sunbridge Road, Bradford, as part of her investigation.
During her visit, she observed Misho, a black and white domestic shorthair male cat, who was visibly in distress.
The inspector noted that the cat had a clear and obvious problem with his hind left leg, with the bone protruding at a right angle to his limb.
Despite the injury, Misho was walking around, but each step caused him significant pain.
When questioned about the injury, Siddique explained that the cat had been abandoned on him and his friend approximately six to seven months prior.
He claimed that at that time, Misho had a broken leg and a broken jaw.
Siddique stated that he had taken the cat to the PDSA, where he was told that the cat should be euthanized.
However, Siddique said he disagreed with that advice and decided to care for Misho himself.
He claimed to have applied a bandage to the leg and provided the cat with water and affection, asserting that the injury had since healed.
He also confirmed that he had not received any medication from a veterinarian.
Following this account, Inspector Ellis took Misho to a veterinary clinic for a professional assessment.
The vet confirmed that the cat had a fractured femur that had not healed properly, causing ongoing pain.
An X-ray revealed that the fracture was still present, with bones showing abnormal movement and misalignment.
The vet's report indicated that the injury had been present for several months and that the cat was in good overall condition aside from the injury.
The report emphasized that leaving the fracture untreated would lead to prolonged suffering and chronic pain, and recommended amputation of the leg.
The court was presented with the vet's findings, which detailed the severity of Misho's condition.
The report described the fracture as causing an abnormal gait and lameness, with the bones at the fracture site moving and not aligned correctly.
It was clear that Misho had endured significant pain over an extended period due to Siddique's failure to seek proper veterinary care.
The report concluded that the injury was obvious to any reasonable person and that the neglect had resulted in unnecessary suffering for the cat.
During the court hearing, Siddique offered mitigation, claiming he believed he had looked after Misho and was worried that a vet would have euthanized the cat.
Unfortunately, Misho was later euthanized due to severe behavioral issues that made rehoming impossible.
In sentencing, Siddique received a 12-month community order, which included 275 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay £215 in costs and a £95 surcharge.
Additionally, he was banned from keeping any animals indefinitely, a restriction that cannot be appealed for at least three years.
This case highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the consequences of neglecting animal welfare.
