A cat owner wants to warn others after her much-loved family pet had to have a leg amputated after being caught in a “snare trap”.

Gizmo “hobbled” to the front door of Louisa Pearce’s home in Swale Avenue, Rushenden, with injuries to both front legs.

The 45-year-old was left in tears after seeing one of Gizmo’s paws had been “stripped like a glove”.

The 10-year-old cat had been missing since 1pm on Saturday, September 16.

She returned at around 3pm on Monday, September 18 and Louisa could instantly see “something was wrong”.

Louisa said the wound had been left open so she could see “every tiny bone and digit of her paw” and maggots in the damaged paw.

She said: “The wounds are sickening to see and were causing a horrible rotting smell.

“When I rushed her to Kingsferry Vets I couldn’t breathe and only managed to say ‘please help’ as I couldn’t talk much.

“The vets told me that the wound had been consistent with a snare trap which are inhumane and evil.

“It’s really scary that these traps might be in the area as lots of families have pets including myself.”

Gizmo, who was rescued when she was a kitten by Louisa, is now back at home but is “totally exhausted and barely eating”.

Louisa says her five children were all upset by what had happened, particularly Marshall, seven.

The operation cost her £700 but she fears the bill could rise if further treatment is required.