Purple kitten used as 'chew toy' found on California road

A kitten who was dyed purple and used as a dog's "chew toy" is recovering at an animal shelter in California.

The eight week old kitten, nicknamed Smurf, was found in a box on the side of a road on Monday, The San Jose Mercury News reports.

He was taken to 9 Lives shelter near San Jose, where he was found to have 20 deep, red wounds over his little body.

"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," Monica Rudiger, a veterinarian at 9 Lives, said.

Ms Rudiger believes the kitten was dipped in a bath of indigo fabric dye.

"I can only imagine why someone would dye him purple," she said. "I think there are people who find it amusing to take small, innocent animals and use them as play toys."

Smurf will have minor surgery before being put up for adoption.

"He's a strong little guy," Ms Rudiger said.

The identity of the kitten’s former owner is unknown.