We had a young tomcat, named Tiger, who tried warming up in a visiting relative's car. Knocked the car's alternator belt off the pully and the cat ran off like he was shot.
Several days later, Tiger reappeared with a badly broken tale hanging at half mast. He showed up a day later with the tail chewed off at the midpoint.
Thereafter, he became known as "Stubs" in our home. He was also, the toughest tomcat we ever had on the farm. I watched him whip coonhounds when he was in a bad mood.
Ouch! Your story gave me chills. Glad to hear he lived a productive life following the amputation.