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It could take two weeks to fully clean the kittens’ fur. (Mspca) |
Grease-coated kittens found in Mattapan
Two kittens found coated in oil and grease on a Mattapan porch Friday may be victims of animal cruelty, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said yesterday.
The female kittens, which have been named Grease and Monkey, were discovered by a good Samaritan and taken to the MSPCA’s Boston adoption center, where they are being taken care of. Each is about 3 months old.
“Our law enforcement department is looking into this situation very carefully,’’ MSPCA spokesman Brian Adams said.We are asking people to contact us if they witnessed any cruelty to Grease and Monkey.’’
Adams said the kittens may have endured their oil- and grease-covered condition for several days before being brought to the shelter, because the substances were matted into their fur.
There are no other injuries to the kittens, but MSPCA officials are concerned that the tail of one of them is so saturated that it may need to be removed.
“We will be in the process of removing the oil and grease for the next two weeks,’’ Adams said.
Animal cruelty is a felony in Massachusetts, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
Adams said the kittens seem to be bonded to each other and are accustomed to being around humans.
“One kitten will try to clean the other, and they nuzzle into people who hold them,’’ Adams said. “This leads us to believe that they had owners.’’
The kittens, once cleaned and examined thoroughly, will be available for adoption if their owner does not claim them, he said.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
