Cat survived abuse and now wears sweaters to protect severe burn scars

His name means strength, and that may not be a coincidence.

An adopted orange tabby named Angus is one tough cat.

One of the Calgary police officers involved in the animal cruelty case said it was the worst he had ever seen.

Acting Sgt. Dennis Smithson said Angus was badly injured in July 2020.

“He came from a house where there was a domestic incident.

“A young woman came home and found him injured in his cat bed with all the burns on him.

“Her housemate revealed he tried to bathe the animal and maybe the water was too hot … She noticed bleach and chemical stains on his clothes,” Smithson said.

Dr. Margaret Doyle is a forensic vet who investigated the case.

“That’s why he’s the one we have the hardest time with emotionally, because it’s hard not to think about what he’s been through,” Doyle said.

The offender was sentenced to 18 months in prison for animal cruelty. It was never revealed whether it was burning liquid or a chemical burn that caused Angus’ injuries.

“He was burned to over 30 percent of his body,” Doyle said. “He ended up losing half of his back legs and he lost a third of his tail and the tops of both his ears and his front legs were badly marked.”

“He was in rough shape. It was day-to-day managing his pain.

“I watched him come home and not be able to move, to learn to walk, to where he is now,” Smithson said.

Doyle and Smithson adopted Angus after becoming so attached. Doyle took care of him all day and took him home to stay with her after hours.

“Once he started recovering, he had such a sweet personality,” Doyle said.

“He went through a lot and I hope he doesn’t remember it because he was so young.”

“He came home and never left,” Doyle said. “I don’t want to worry if someone is really taking good care of him.

“I just want him to never have an ache or pain in his life and I want him to be happy and comfortable forever.”

“In the four-and-a-half years I’ve worked on animal cruelty files with the Calgary Police Service, this is the one that gets me the most,” Smithson said.

Part of his recovery has resulted in him having to wear tailored shirts and sweaters.

His fashion comes with function because his skin is still so fragile and he needs to protect his scars.

“He was in baby onesies for the first five months of his life and now he’s graduated to shirts,” Doyle said.

His clothing collection is designed by a woman based in Quebec. Among the creations, she made him his own stencil shirts.

He even owns something a little more formal: a tuxedo.

“Now I’m a crazy cat wardrobe person,” Doyle said.

“Now I own a cat that wears sweaters,” Smithson said.

Angus even has his own Instagram account.

The couple are relieved Angus is now thriving.

“These are difficult matters and difficult for everyone. We had a lot of tears because it’s not easy for investigators or the vets or the Crown prosecutor,” Smithson said.

“To have him as happy as he is, it’s a very important thing for us to do.”

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