Wailing Kitten Freed From Steel-Jaw Trap By Deputies

COVINA, CA – Sheriff's deputies Thursday rescued a kitten who became caught in a steel-jaw trap, authorities said.

The deputies from the San Dimas Sheriff's Station were called about 10 a.m. to the 5000 block of Conlon Avenue, said Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.

Deputies first spoke with the woman who called them about a kitten she had heard crying for a few days, Navarro-Suarez said.

"An overwhelming sense of sadness overcame (the caller) this Thanksgiving morning when she could not find the strength to leave her home and celebrate Thanksgiving after hearing a kitten’s distant cry over the last few days," the department said.

The woman directed deputies to a nearby residence from where she believed the cries were coming. No one answered the front door, so the deputies climbed the wall to the backyard where they found the kitten in the trap, she said.

"The kitten, whose paw was caught in the rusted steel-jaw trap, had been crying and meowing for help. Its paw appeared broken and severed, all while struggling to free itself in desperation," the deputies said.

The deputies used screw drivers to pry open the trap and freed the kitten, Navarro-Suarez said. The kitten was turned over to the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.

"It appears that the trap was in the yard to immobilize threatening animals away from a Koi fish pond that was also located in the backyard," she said.

The legality of the traps were to be addressed and/or investigated with the property owner.

"The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is thankful for the opportunity to serve and save lives, including the life of a helpless animal," deputies added.

Patch will update when details of the kitten's current condition are made available.

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--City News Service/Images via LACSD