Cat loses an eye in air gun attack
OWNER SAYS SEVERAL ANIMALS HAVE BEEN INJURED IN SHOOTINGS
A WOMAN says she is so terrified about her cats’ safety after a string of attacks in her area that she has built a structure outside her house to keep them safe.
Robyn Cox, 25, from Eastwood, was worried sick when her cat Tommy went missing for two days and finally returned on September 18 with one of his eyes badly injured and bloodied.
After taking Tommy to the vet, she was told he had been shot with an air gun and that a pellet lodged in his eye had been retrieved.
The vets had to remove Tommy’s eye and he is currently recovering at home.
Robyn said: “It’s been a pretty traumatic experience – but we’re not the only ones this has happened to.
“I personally know of six other cats in the surrounding areas that have had the exact same injury. Somebody is obviously doing it to them.”
Robyn says cats have been injured in nearby Langley Mill, Heanor and Brinsley.
She says her friend’s cat Lana, from Langley Mill, was also shot with an air gun on September 29.
Robyn has now built an enclosure in her back garden to keep Tommy and her other two cats safe and close to the house.
“Every time I see a cat has gone missing, my heart drops,” she continued.
“It’s definitely a worry – I know my friend is worried about her cat too but she’s not in a position to spend the money on an enclosure.
“I just have no idea how anyone could do something like this? It’s beyond belief.”
The RSPCA is investigating what has happened and has spoken out against the “deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty”.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “This was a horrible attack on an innocent animal which would have caused pain and suffering.
“Tommy was shot with an air gun in the head and he had his eye removed which would have been traumatic for him and his distressed owners.
“Every year the RSPCA receives almost 1,000 calls to investigate cases and help hundreds of animals that are the defenceless victims of air gun attacks.
“It is very distressing to think that people take pleasure in causing such horrific injuries to defenceless animals. These are deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty.
“Cats and wildlife are normally the animals that are more susceptible to these incidents simply because they are out in the open with no-one to protect them. Unfortunately, air rifle attacks are not as rare as we would like. The injuries caused by such attacks are horrific and often fatal.
“We are calling for tighter controls on air weapons. This, along with better education and explanation of the law when buying an air gun, and requirements that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop, could help relieve the problem.
“These weapons cause horrific pain and suffering and it is illegal. Anyone caught deliberately using an air gun to injure an animal can face up to six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine if found guilty under the Animal Welfare Act.
“We’re now appealing for anyone with information about this latest incident to get in touch through the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”