Cat loses leg in airgun shooting
A SKELMERSDALE woman has been left ‘‘heartbroken’’ after her cat was shot and had to have his leg amputated.
The incident took place on December 5, when two-year-old Slinky returned home with wounds on his leg.
His owner, who doesn’t want to be named due to the fear of repercussions, immediately thought Slinky had been hit by a car and took him to the vet for medical attention.
She said: “The vet took an x-ray of the wound, and told me that Slinky was shot with an air pellet gun.
“They said that they could tell from the wound that it was from close proximity too.”
As a result of the injury, Slinky has had to have his leg amputated as the impact shattered the bone.
The pellet that struck him is also still embedded in his body.
His owner explained: “The pellet is still in Slinky’s body, it was very close to his heart so it can’t be removed.
“Although that could cause problems later in life, the vet said he was lucky to be alive.”
Surprisingly, according to the owner, this isn’t the first time one of her cats have been shot at.
She added: “One of my cats is 17 years old and, when she was about one, she returned home with blood on her ear.
“I found out that this was due to being shot with an air pellet gun too. I am very concerned this has happened again.”
The incident has had lasting effects on Slinky’s owner, who has 11 adult cats, and two kittens ranging from 18 years to just five weeks old – and she is now too scared to let them out.
She said: “I am so worried about letting them outside now, none of them have been outside since it happened.
“They’re like my children, I’m scared something will happen to them again.”
Slinky is adjusting to his recent amputation, but is managing to get around.
His owner said she wants to share her story as she is concerned for other pet owners in Skelmersdale.
She added: “I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. It has been very stressful for me and Slinky, and it has caused a whole lot of heartache right before Christmas.
“This is a crime, and somebody did this intentionally.”
Officers are appealing for information about the incident, and you can contact the police on 101 quoting LC-20171207-0858.
Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.