[WARNING THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS GRAPHIC ANIMAL ABUSE CONTENT]

A Christchurch man has been sentenced to four months community detention after repeatedly abusing a cat, including breaking its teeth with pliers and kicking it while recovering from surgery.

Rongjian Feng, also known as Frankie, appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday, facing one charge of wilful ill treatment of an animal and three charges of ill treatment of an animal.

The court heard the man bought the cat, named Max, in December 2022 for his partner.

Between April and July 2023, he used pliers to break both of Max’s upper canine teeth.

He later said he did so because the cat had bitten him and he feared it would bite their daughter.

The injuries were discovered during a routine veterinary check in January 2024.

Max was referred to a veterinary dentist for further treatment, but that did not happen.

An SPCA veterinarian later determined the damage was consistent with the teeth being deliberately snapped.

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Max’s teeth were eventually removed.

In April 2024, Max had undergone a hind leg amputation following a serious fracture and was recovering in a crate at the home.

CCTV footage showed the man removing Max from the crate and struggling with him on the floor.

He was then seen lifting the cat by the tail, carrying him over the crate and dropping him, before chasing him around the room and attempting to kick him.

Veterinary evidence presented to the court said this would have caused significant pain and distress, particularly given the cat was recovering from major surgery.

Later that day, the man again removed Max from the crate by the scruff of the neck and held him for about 40 seconds, a method considered inappropriate for adult cats and likely to cause fear and discomfort.

Max was later found unable to use his remaining hind leg. A veterinary examination revealed an open femur fracture, a wound to his lip, injuries to his front feet, and broken whiskers.

Veterinarians concluded the fracture would have required significant blunt force and that Max would have been in severe pain.

When confronted, the man admitted he had kicked and hit the cat. He declined to be interviewed by SPCA inspectors.

Max was taken into SPCA care, treated for his injuries, and has since been rehomed.

SPCA Chief Executive Todd Westwood said, “The fact Max was not seen by a veterinarian for months after his teeth were deliberately broken beggars belief. Max would have suffered extreme pain and suffering during this time and struggled to eat.”

“Not only that, but the defendant also swung Max by his tail while recovering from a serious injury, one month out of surgery. It shows a complete lack of empathy or care during a time where Max was extremely vulnerable. We’re very grateful to our Inspectors and the vets who cared for Max and we’re so happy he has found peace in a loving, caring home.”

The man was also ordered to pay $5,032.75 in reparations and has been disqualified from owning animals for 10 years.