Owners of a missing black cat were overjoyed when their pet returned home -- but horrified to see a gin trap attached to his paw.

Sooty, pictured with the trap, was missing for five days before returning home to Patrick and Mary Greene, of Long Wittenham Road, North Moreton, near Didcot on the day of the couple's Ruby Wedding celebrations.

They believe he had spent several days struggling to break free. The cat might have lost a leg -- let alone his nine lives -- were it not for veterinary care at the Abivale Animal Hospital, Abingdon, where staff operated to remove two of Sooty's toes.

Mr Greene and his wife searched North and South Moreton and surrounding countryside when Sooty failed to return home for breakfast. They put up notices in the area and contacted police and the RSPCA.

The couple had just renewed their marriage vows in the parish church and had returned from a meal with friends and family when they find Sooty meowing in a flower bed.

"I could not believe my eyes," said Mr Greene.

Mr Greene, a county and South Oxfordshire district councillor, said using such a trap was "barbaric".

He added: "It could maim or injure animals including cats and dogs and even small children if they came across it accidentally."

Pc Pete Hale, rural beat officer at Abingdon is investigating the incident.