A Ukrainian bodybuilder is under investigation for animal cruelty after tattooing her cat to make it look ‘as glamorous’ as her.
Elena Ivanickaya from Chernihiv in northwest Ukraine, decided to have an image of a winged Egyptian inked onto her pet Sphynx’s chest.
Photos show the hairless moggy unconscious under anaesthetic as the tattoo artist carries out his work.
Tat cat: Elena Ivanickaya from Chernihiv in northwest Ukraine, has come under fire after having her Sphynx cat tattooed
But after the pics appeared online, furious followers slammed the woman, accusing her of torturing the cat.
Fuming Inna Milovanova wrote: ‘Would be better to ink her forehead with a tattoo saying ‘Idiot’ and break her finger for torturing a defenseless animal, poor kitty.’
While outraged viewer tatakuksa posted: ‘You just can’t torture those who are weaker then you, it is not a toy, it is a living being. She did not put a tattoo on her chest.’
Ms Ivanickaya hit back, saying the spoiled cat, who has its own Instagram page and eats fresh oysters, leads a better life than the people complaining.
She also defended her actions saying the cat wasn’t harmed in any way.
Defence: Ms Ivanickaya says her cat did not come to any harm and that she spoils the pet
Animal cruelty? Photos posted on the bodybuilder’s Instagram story show the hairless moggy unconscious under anaesthetic as the tattoo artist carries out his work
Spoiled: She says her cat lives a better life than those who slammed her for having it tattooed
She said: ‘This cat’s life is better then yours. Maybe it is hell for you, but he feels just fine.
‘He has not been castrated and he never will be, this would be real cruelty.
‘I checked with the vet before getting him a tattoo and they were fine with it and a vet was present while they were doing the tattoo, so everything was under control.’
She added: ‘The cat is treated with love and care.
Body work: Ms Ivanickaya describes herself as a bodybuilder and a ‘fitness athlete’
Snuggled up: The Sphynx pictured between Ms Ivanickaya and a friend in bed
Loved pet: The animal is pictures sitting on Ms Ivanickaya’s chest
In trouble: Ms Ivanickaya could face animal cruelty charges, and police are investigating
‘He is very smart and enjoys his happy life. The tattoo was made on the upper layer of skin.
‘Only 1-2 millimetres, he did not feel any pain. Right after the procedure he behaved normally and started to go on with his normal routine.’
But the blonde who describes herself as a ‘fitness athlete’ could now face charges of animal cruelty.
Police spokesman Natalia Chovpylo said: ‘If we establish that the animal was tortured, we will open a criminal case.’