Stalking Cat
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Dennis Avner (born August 27, 1958) of Whidbey Island, Washington, United States, is widely known as the "Catman", though he prefers his Native American name, Stalking Cat. Stalking Cat has spent considerable resources to surgically modify his body to resemble that of a tiger.
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[edit] Description of modifications
- extensive tattooing, including facial tattooing
- hairline modification
- facial transdermal implants to allow the wearing of whiskers
- facial subdermal implants to change the shape of the brow and forehead
- filing and capping of his teeth to have a more feline appearance
- wearing green contact lenses with slit irises
- having his ears surgically pointed
- silicone injection in the lips, cheeks, chin and other parts of his face
- bifurcated upper lip
Avner himself claims not to keep track of the money he has spent on body modification[citation needed], although some sources do state a total. Avner plans to attach a permanent pelt to his skin in order to add further authenticity to his appearance. Avner, whose parents were of Huron and Lakota heritage, states that altering oneself to resemble one's own totem is an ancient Huron tradition. The former Navy sonar technician who currently works as a computer programmer took on the name Stalking Cat and began his modifications after a discussion with an Indian chief who reportedly inspired him to 'follow the ways of the tiger'.
As a result of his unusual appearance, Stalking Cat has attained local celebrity status and frequently travels to attend interviews and photo sessions. Stalking Cat has been featured on Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Larry King Live, VH1's "Totally Obsessed", Kerrang! Radio's "Asylum" and other television and radio shows.
[edit] Medical ethics concerns
Glenn McGee, director of the Center for Bioethics at Albany Medical College in New York, says of Stalking Cat, "Cosmetic surgery is a practice based on informed consent that needs to balance the risks with the benefits. It is possible to have a coherent view that is nonetheless detrimental to one's well-being. This is a patient who's being harmed by medicine in the interest of his tradition."[1]
[edit] Trivia
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- Many of Stalking Cat's body modifications have been performed by Arizona based artist Steve Haworth.
- Stalking Cat himself owns several cats and claims to have a very close relationship with them.
[edit] References
- ^ Casavant, Vanessa (Tuesday, August 16, 2005). Catman's transformation raises concerns over extreme surgery. The Seattle Times.
[edit] See also
- The Lizardman
- Katzen
- The Enigma
- Lucky Diamond Rich
- Tom Leppard
