Pet cat injured in cruel airgun attack

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 25 Nov 2009 14:13 0 Comments

A FAMILY whose pet cat was shot with an airgun are disgusted by the actions of the "cruel" individual who left seven-month-old Horatio badly injured.

Morag Penman, who lives in Alloa, realised there was something wrong with Horatio when he returned home last Monday morning after being out overnight.

She told the Advertiser, "He just came in and lay there but at first I couldn't see what was wrong.

"This has happened to one of my other cats a few years ago - in fact it was Horatio's mother.

"I spoke to a vet and they said that as long as he wasn't showing too many signs that he was in a lot of pain I shouldn't need to take him down.

"It wasn't until late on Monday night that I noticed the hole.

"One of my friend's takes part in shooting events and he confirmed that it was a pellet that was in the side of Horatio's body.

"I phoned the police but they said that there was nothing that could be done because cats roam and there wasn't any proof.

"My nine-year-old daughter Joanne and her friends were really upset when they realised what had happened because we had Horatio since he was a tiny kitten.

"I just don't know how anyone can be as sick and cruel. If someone wants to get rid of a cat they don't need to do something like this.

"All they need to do is throw some water at them or run at them and they will run away.

"I am just glad it wasn't fatal and we are lucky that the pellet didn't go anywhere near Horatio's back end or his head because it would have probably killed him outright.

"He didn't eat for three days and just lay about but thankfully he is getting a bit better now. If the police could only prove who did it they could be charged with animal cruelty."

Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn condemned the attack and said, "Animals are regularly the target of malicious airgun attacks and this continues to cause the society great concern.

"Cats are the most common target, followed by wildlife.

"This is yet another sickening example of a defenceless animal being injured as a result of airgun misuse and goes to highlight the need for a total ban on airguns in Scotland.

"Anyone who witnesses an airgun attack on an animal should contact the police or the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline 03000 999 999."

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