Purple-dyed kitten rescued after likely being used as a chew toy

An 8-week-old kitten in California will be starting the new year off with a whole new life after being brought to a San Jose animal shelter with deep puncture wounds and dyed purple fur. 

The kitten was named Smurf by workers at 9 Lives Foundation shelter in Redwood City, was brought in by an anonymous rescuer who found him in a box along with lemon slices and purple rags.

According to Mercury News, the person took Smurf to the San Jose Animal Shelter and then the facility contacted 9 Lives, which is a no-kill shelter that was able to treat the wounded and scared kitten.

"I've seen a lot of animals used as bait for other animals, it looks to me like he was used as a chew toy," said Monica Rudiger with the Redwood City shelter. "He obviously wasn't killed by the dog or whatever animal it was but he was pretty badly injured."

Rudiger said it looks as if Smurf was dipped in indigo fabric dye and is now recovering from about 20 deep, canine puncture wounds. He'll undergo surgery next week.

When Smurf checked in, he only weighed 1 pound, 10 ounces. Despite his injuries, veterinarians said he is healing well and could be put up for adoption in the future.