A Perthshire retiree had to undergo an operation and spend four nights in hospital after she was attacked by a “large” stray cat in her back garden.
Gaby Beaumont (76) ended up with seven stitches and had to have fluid drained from her infected wound following the ambush at her Huntingtowerfield home.
The breast cancer survivor, who lives with her daughter Alison Macaulay, was feeding the birds on the afternoon of Sunday, March 26 when the incident occurred.
The recovering animal-loving pensioner now carries an alarm with her and is urging neighbouring households - especially those with young children and pets - to be on the lookout.
Recounting the ordeal with the PA, she said: “I was feeding the wild birds in the garden and heard a loud hissing noise from behind me.
“I turned to see what was obviously a large wild cat and it just attacked and bit me unprovoked and ran off. There was a lot of blood.
“It was a shock and I thought I was going to pass out. Thank God the dogs were not in the garden at the time.
“From years of living in the countryside I can tell you it was a wild cat. It must have been ill to behave like that.
“I think it may be the same cat that attacked my son’s cat Buffy about six months ago.
“She had a bad wound on her back and had to go to the vet, but she recovered.
“I love every animal so I think something bad may have happened to it to make it like that. I have not seen it before or since.”
Gaby’s daughter Alison took her to a GP the following day to get it checked.
“I wondered at the time if it was infected,” Gaby added.
“The doctor gave me antibiotics but then on Tuesday we went to Perth Royal Infirmary A&E as it was so bad.
“They took one look at it and told me to go to Ninewells, they knew it was so serious.
“At Ninewells they took an x-ray to see if there were any cat teeth still in my arm.
“It was infected as there was pus coming out of it.
“I had to undergo an operation and was under general anaesthetic. They drained the wound.
“They then put me on strong painkillers - it was hellish and I was constantly ill.
“I was told cat bites are worse than dog bites. Apparently they had one woman in before and it was fatal because it was infected.
“Thankfully they got to mine early or I would have been in real trouble.
“It was a deep, deep wound. My arm is still heavily stitched and it gets sore at times.
“It is getting better now and I have just finished my course of painkillers.”
Gaby was due for a GP check-up yesterday to see if further medication is needed.
She is still fearful the cat may be roaming around the area and will attack someone in the neighbouring properties.
“We have two families that live nearby that have young grandchildren,” Gaby continued.
“If that cat attacked them [it would be horrible]. That is what terrifies me, if toddlers are around.
“It could be very dangerous. People need to keep an eye out.
“This was a very large cat - bigger than my two pugs and near the size of a small spaniel.
“It was a blue/grey colour and had white paws on its hind legs.
“I now have a personal alarm on me that makes a big noise when I pull it. It frightens the birds and may frighten the cat if it returns.”
Gaby, who recovered from breast cancer having been diagnosed in 2014, also wished to pay tribute to the NHS staff who once again came to her aid.
She lauded: “They are going to get a correspondence of thanks from me.
“I could not have asked for better treatment. We are really lucky with the NHS and they never faltered.
“Through my cancer treatment to the all clear and through this they were amazing and they looked after me. I am really fortunate.”
