A VET charity has warned drivers to check under their car and bonnet before switching engines on after vets had to amputate a cat’s leg when it got trapped in a fan belt.

Using up one of her nine lives, Saffy the cat, from Bradford, hid under a neighbour’s car bonnet.

Not realising she was there, he switched the engine on and her leg caught in the fan belt, completely severing her thigh bone and leaving it beyond repair.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Saffy was rushed to Bradford PDSA Pet Hospital in desperate pain but the vet team had no choice but to amputate.

Saffy has now made a full recovery and is managing great on three legs.

However, the incident has left its mark on her – she is now scared of cars and mostly stays indoors.

Her relieved owner, Shameena Baker explained what happened: “Our neighbour heard Saffy scream when he turned the engine on. He turned it off straight away and opened the bonnet to find her tangled up and in anguish.

"Another passing neighbour recognised Saffy immediately and came to get me, it was awful to see her and I didn’t know what to do. We couldn’t free her she was so badly trapped, so we called a mechanic.”

The charity has noted an increase in these sorts of accidents during the colder months when cats often seek out warm and safe places for a snooze.

Saffy is now recovering at home after a very lucky escape but PDSA has warned this is not unusual.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

PDSA vet Rachel Bishop said: “Saffy is very lucky to be alive and, thankfully, we now expect her to make a good recovery. Sadly, it’s not unusual for us to hear about this type of accident happening over the colder months.

“We’d advise drivers to check under their cars and wheel arches before switching engines on, particularly if the car has been used within the last few hours and the engine might still be warm.”