Stalking Cat
Stalking Cat | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dennis Avner August 27, 1958 |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | extensive body modifications to look like a tiger |
Dennis Avner (born in Flint, Michigan August 27, 1958) of Tonopah, Nevada, United States, is widely known as "Cat Man",[1] though he prefers his Native American name, Stalking Cat. Avner has spent considerable resources to surgically modify his body to resemble that of a tiger. He holds the world record for the most body modifications.[2][3][4]
Description of modifications
- extensive tattooing, including facial tattooing
- hairline modification
- saline breast implants
- piercing of his upper lip and transdermal implants on his forehead to facilitate the wearing of whiskers
- facial subdermal implants to change the shape of the brow, forehead and the bridge of the nose (a planned future implant on the top of his head for mounting tiger-like ears)
- flattening of his nose via septum relocation
- filing and capping of his teeth to have a more feline appearance
- wearing green contact lenses with slit irides
- having his ears pointed and the earlobes elongated
- silicone injection in his 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, 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 a Native 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. He has appeared and been interviewed on such television and radio shows as Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Larry King Live, VH1's Totally Obsessed, Kerrang! Radio's The Night Before, BBC Choice's Anna in Wonderland (Episode 6), and Animal Planet's Weird, True & Freaky (2008 episode "Humanimals").
Many of Stalking Cat's body modifications were performed by Arizona based artist Steve Haworth. The first artist to begin the extensive tattoo work on Dennis's face was Larry Hanks of San Diego in 1985. He also tattooed scales on him and at this time Stalking Cat was referred to as "Cat Fish" although not by choice.
Medical ethics concerns
Glenn McGee, director of the Center for Bioethics at Albany Medical College in New York, says of Avner, "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."[5]
See also
References
- ^ Cat Man – the human 'tiger' who enjoys climbing trees and eats raw meat every day | Mail Online. Dailymail.co.uk (2008-09-06). Retrieved on 2012-05-28.
- ^ Take the 'Guinness World Records 2009' pop-culture quiz! | PopWatch | EW.com. Popwatch.ew.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-28.
- ^ The World's... and Me – Series 3 – Episode 1 – The World's Strangest Plastic Surgery and Me. Channel 4. Retrieved on 2012-05-28.
- ^ It's a weird world of world records. The Courier-Mail (2008-09-21). Retrieved on 2012-05-28.
- ^ Casavant, Vanessa (Tuesday, August 16, 2005). Catman's transformation raises concerns over extreme surgery. The Seattle Times.
External links
- Dennis Avner's LiveJournal
- Cat Man – the human 'tiger' who enjoys climbing trees and eats raw meat every day – an article dated 2008-09-06 from The Daily Mail, which features a photograph of Stalking Cat