Oatley resident Michelle Sultan, 86, was hospitalised after being attacked in her home by what appeared to be a feral cat last week.
It was the second time in six weeks that she has been attacked by a cat in her Lansdowne Parade home.
Mrs Sultan was attacked while trying to defend her own cat, Josmo, a six-year-old tortoiseshell.
Her son, Philippe, said his mother lost about a litre of blood in last week’s attack and had to be taken by ambulance to St George Hospital where she required five stitches to her leg and was kept for five days for observation.
Mrs Sultan said she was first attacked about six weeks ago.
“I was in the garden and a big black cat attacked my cat. I tried to get the black cat away from my cat and it scratched me,” she said.
“The scratch wasn’t too bad but I’m 86 and it is still healing.
“Seven days ago I was in my house and my cat ran in chased by a large brown cat.
“I got my stick and tried to get the cat out of my house and it attacked my leg. I banged him with my stick and he ran out.
“There was blood everywhere from my leg. It was on the patio and in the bathroom. It is still on my carpet.
“It was a very big wound. Apparently it was touching the bone but I didn’t look.
“My grandson came around and called the ambulance.
“I didn’t want to go to hospital. I was worried about my cat after the attack. She ran out into the garden. She is very shy and I wanted to know where she was.”
Mrs Sultan said she has seen many cats in the area lately.
“If I sit in my garden I can see about 15 cats in the area. I think they may be feral cats.”
Her son, Philippe, said there is an influx of wild cats in Oatley and Penshurst.
“There have been sightings of about 15 wild cats in Oatley Park,” he said.
“I rang the council after the attack and they gave me a cage to catch the cat.
“We are after the dark brown cat that attacked my mother. If we catch it and find it belongs to someone I will sue the owner and give the money to the RSPCA.”
Georges River Council is aware of the incident and is currently investigating.
“At this time the council is unable to comment as to whether it was a wild cat or not,” a council spokeswoman said.
“In relation to cats, Council abides by the NSW Companion Animal Act 1998 section 32 which states that any person may lawfully seize a cat if that action is reasonable and necessary for the protection of any person or animal (other than vermin) from injury or death.
“Council is not specifically aware of a wild cat problem in the local government area, however frequent monitoring and control is undertaken through Council’s Feral Animal Program.”
