An escaped Savannah cat named Blaze, which sparked a massive search across the Norfolk countryside, has had its paw amputated after being shot while on the run. The hybrid cat, a cross between a wild African serval and a domestic cat, fled its home in Norwich in May and was spotted roaming fields near Bramerton.
Rescue and Discovery of Injuries
After more than a month on the loose, Blaze was captured when wildlife rescuer Kevin Murphy of Norfolk Wildlife Rescue found it sitting in a plant pot in a Bramerton back garden, four miles from its home. Murphy told the BBC: "A lady came down the road and said, 'Are you the cat man?' Then I saw the cat sitting in a plant pot. The daughter went behind the greenhouse to get its attention and started making cat sounds, and I thought, 'This is going to be my only chance.' I netted it."
During the rescue, Murphy discovered that Blaze had suffered gunshot wounds to its chest and paw. He explained: "We believe it's been shot. His owner thinks it's a gunshot because there were metal fragments in the wound. Was it a shotgun, buckshot, a proper bullet or an air rifle? We don't know yet." The vet suggested the projectile may have ricocheted before striking the cat.
Amputation and Survival
Blaze's injuries were so severe that vets had no choice but to amputate the damaged paw. Murphy expressed amazement that the animal survived at all, noting: "How it survived with a broken paw, I don't know, because it needs five meals a day."
During its time at large, Blaze was mistaken for a "small leopard" by a dog walker, leading to a county-wide search. The cat's owner had reported it missing in May, and sightings had been reported across the Norfolk countryside.
Blaze is now recovering under veterinary care, and the incident has raised questions about the keeping of hybrid animals. Norfolk Wildlife Rescue has urged the public to report any sightings of exotic animals to avoid similar incidents.
