CONVICTED (2024) | Saleh Ali, born c. 2001, of Coquet Avenue, South Shields NE34 7TF – for the mistreatment of a cat found with severe facial injuries. The court heard that in May 2024, RSPCA inspector Helen Nedley attended the home of Saleh Ali to investigate a report about an injured cat. The three-year-old male tabby, known as Nora, wasn’t in the property but the RSPCA inspector found him and managed to coax him into a cat carrier for a closer examination. Inspector Nedley said in her report: “I could see from a distance that the cat had injuries to its eye and face. “The area around the cat’s left eye was pink with small scabs around the eyelid and it was not open as much as the right eye. “The cat looked to have a crater-like hole in the corner of its left eye and it was dripping with discharge. “Nora also had scratches on his nose with a small scabby flap of skin hanging off the right side of the nose. “The cat’s face looked misshapen and the bridge of the nose looked swollen too.” With Ali’s consent Nora was taken to a vet for an urgent examination. Ali’s neighbours claimed that Nora had been attacked by a dog prior to the RSPCA’s visit, but this information has not been confirmed. Ali stated that he didn’t take the cat to the vets are the time of injury because he was was still eating, drinking and was “bright in himself”. He had images of Nora following his injury which showed the cat with both eyes closed and yellow, cloudy discharge coming from the left eye, which was also covered in bloody scratches. There was also a small but deep-looking wound on the right side of the cat’s nose. A vet’s report confirmed that the bridge of Nora’s nose was slightly swollen with lacerations to the skin, which was red and ulcerated. Nora’s left eye was also red and inflamed with a wound in the corner and discharge coming from the eye. The report concluded: “In my opinion, this cat has been suffering and this could have been reduced had the cat been taken to a vet for treatment on the day of the injury. “Pain relief and antibiotic treatment would have reduced pain and sped up recovery from infection sooner.” Inspector Nedley added: “The prolonged suffering of this poor cat could have been avoided had the owner sought veterinary treatment as soon as they realised the cat was injured. “Thankfully, Nora was able to get the treatment he needed and made a full recovery in RSPCA care.” Ali pleaded guilty to the charges against him and no mitigation was provided. Sentencing | 12-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work; costs of £350 and a £130 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping cats for five years (expires December 2029). ChronicleLive Shields Gazette