A CAT was left with a severed tongue and broken jaw after being hit by a car.

Tia sustained the horrific injuries after being hit by a vehicle – which failed to stop – on Ellis Avenue, Rhyl.

Claire Darbey, clinic assistant at RSPCA Animal clinic Rhyl, on Vaughan Street, received a panicked call from a member of the public and rushed out to collect the cat herself.

She said: “The lady was just distraught. She said ‘Oh my God, I’ve just seen a cat hit.

“It is under a car, I can’t get it.’

“It was lying there, bleeding.”

She continued: “I managed to get it and rushed it to the nearest vets to get general anaesthetic. It was in so much shock.


Tia is currently cage bound 

“There are so many cars that race down that road and Garnett Avenue and people don’t and won’t slow down.

“Tia suffered a broken jaw. Her tongue was severed, which is why there was so much blood.”

Claire made an appeal to find the cat’s owner and put a post up on Facebook.

Thankfully Tia has been reunited with her owner Kirsty Lowe and is now recovering at home.

Kirsty said: "She adopted us, she chose us. She use to be a stray - she was just learning to trust us.

"I was on the school run. I came back and saw the post on Facebook and I sort of knew it was her. Within half-an-hour Claire got back to me.

"She hates being inside. She likes to come in for a fuss and a bit of warmth.

"She is usually quite streetwise, so I was surprised. Her part feral is still there."

Kirsty added: "She is cage bound at the moment. Her left leg is floppy but they think it is nerve damage. She has blood leaking from her eye and her severed tongue has been stitched.

"She is doing amazing after what she has been through. I let her have a little bit of a walk round the living room. Thankfully she has not had to have any major surgery. It is time she needs to heal.

"The road she was hit on is terrible. If her ordeal raises awareness and leads to speed bumps being installed on the road then I will do anything. It could be a child next.

"Tia is part of our family. It makes me so angry that the person that hit her didn't stop - it winds me up."

Claire said: “The owner added me on Facebook and I was so thrilled to see a photo of the cat drinking and eating food.

“I got her in front of a vets within 20 minutes. It is a bit of a panic when an animal gets hit.


Tia eats for the first time

“It is important to get them seen to quickly as otherwise they could try and hide somewhere.”

Claire criticised the unknown motorist whose car hit the cat, saying: “The fact the driver didn’t even stop to help is upsetting. There was a cat hit last year that ended up with a broken pelvis.

“People just race down that road, it is renowned for it.”

Anyone who hits an animal is advised to stop and call RSPCA Cymru on 0300 1234 999.

As officers are limited, if an injured animal is smaller than a rabbit the RSPCA advises calling a vet or rehab centre.