Person sought after kitten found with zip tie around mouth in Stockton neighborhood

The San Diego Humane Society's Humane Law Enforcement sought the public's help Thursday after a kitten was found in San Diego's Stockton neighborhood with a zip tie around the animal's mouth and neck.

On Sept. 23, the male kitten wandered into a home looking for food and water in the 33rd Street area. A community member contained him and contacted the SDHS. The zip tie cut into both corners of his mouth and left an injury on his neck, according to Humane Society officials.

He was not wearing a collar or other identification, and the person who found him had not seen him in the area before, the SDHS stated. A humane officer responded and took him for emergency care at VEG ER for Pets in Mission Valley, where the zip tie was removed and pain medicine was administered, the agency reported.

He was taken to the SDHS's Center for Shelter Medicine. The short-haired kitten, Derry, is 3 months old. He was treated for pain and fleas and started on antibiotics, according to the SDHS.

On Sept. 28, veterinarians repaired the deeper cut on the left side of his mouth and neutered him. He is now recovering with a protective collar so he does not pull out his stitches, they added.