A WESTON-SUPER-MARE mother ignored her cat’s broken leg for three days before taking it to the vets.

Donna Hughes admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the 18-month-old cat, which she had cared for since it was a kitten.

Hughes, aged 38, faced magistrates at North Somerset Courthouse on Monday, when care of the pet was signed over to the RSPCA.

The ginger cat, called Tigger, broke its leg on July 23 and Hughes waited until the following Monday evening – three days later – to take the animal for medical tests.

When Tigger was taken to vets he was also found to have fleas.

Stewart Angelinetta, mitigating, told the court Hughes had been made unemployed that month and had been worried about the cost.

RSPCA prosecutor Lindi Meyer said: “His leg had been fractured for three days and he was in too much pain for the vets to start right away – he had to be given anti-inflammatory medication and painkillers.

“He had a complete fracture of his back limb. This would have been considerably painful and the cat was likely to have been in shock.

“The vet said in her professional opinion the cat would have been in a lot of pain and any reasonable person would have sought immediate vet attention.”

The vets called RSPCA inspectors, who visited Hughes’ home in Waterloo Street, where there are another two cats and two dogs. The inspector found the animals to have fleas but be in good health.

The court heard how Hughes thought the cat had dislocated its leg but seemed content and happy.

Mr Angelinetta said: “No-one knows how this poor cat sustained its injuries, it’s not a case where someone is accused of hitting or striking the cat. The animals are not being kept starving or sitting in their own filth – this is a household with no evidence of lack of care.”

Hughes was given an eight-week curfew running between 9pm and 6am every day, and was ordered to pay £1,320 in costs and charges.

The RSPCA has taken Tigger away from the house but the court allowed the other animals to stay.