Kittens Shrek and Smurf coloured with permanent markers in 'act of cruelty'

Cruel: Smurf and Shrek were handed in by police
BCWR/PA Wire
Mark Chandler26 April 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Two kittens had their white fur coloured in with permanent marker pens in a "dreadful act of cruelty", a cats charity says.

The one-month-old cats, now named Smurf and Shrek to match their blue and green coats, could face permanent breathing difficulties caused by the ink.

Both kittens were handed in to Bradford Cat Watch Rescue in West Yorkshire by police yesterday evening.

The charity wrote on its website after they were brought in: "This is a dreadful act of cruelty and who knows what untelling damage this may have caused."

Shrek: "Totally shocked" 
BCWR/PA Wire

Katie Lloyd, care coordinator at the rescue centre, said she was "totally shocked" when the animals were brought to her.

She said: "At first I believed I was getting cats with breathing difficulties because they were blue."

Smurf: "Dreadful act of cruelty"
BCWR/PA Wire

Ms Lloyd explained: "It could have affected the lungs because they were having breathing difficulties when they arrived.

"It could affect the skin, it could cause infections, irritations, it could infect anything really - the whole respiratory system. And psychologically as well, but they don't seem overall psychologically affected."

Challenge: Charity staff have been bathing the animals
BCWR/PA Wire

Staff at the charity have been bathing the animals in a bid to clean away the ink, but their progress has been slow.

Ms Lloyd said: "The areas where we're struggling is around the face and the reason for that is we don't want it dripping into the eyes, nose or mouth because, believe me, it's permanent."

Safe: The kittens will be given new homes
BCWR/PA Wire

The rescue centre, which has had a flurry of donations after the rescue, will seek to re-home the kittens when they are ready.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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