Pet warning after cat is shot with air gun
Pet owners have been warned to be“extra vigilant”after a cat was allegedly shot in a residential area in Perth.
The feline had to be rushed to the vet after it was injured by an individual with a pellet gun in North Muirton.
After a series of X-rays and blood work a single pellet was discovered in the cat’s abdomen, with other marks potentially showing it was in fact shot multiple times.
The owner had taken the cat to the vet after it was“not quite itself” for a number of days.
The cat was too weak to operate on initially but surgery was later carried out to successfully remove the pellet.
Katie McCandless-Thomas of Missing Pets Perth and Kinross was“angry and disgusted”when she was first alerted about the incident.
A post on her local missing pets Facebook page said:“After getting X-rays and blood work done, a pellet was found in his abdomen and also several marks that may be pellet related, indicating more than one shot was fired at him.
“We would ask all pet owners to be extra vigilant in the area.
“It’s been reported to the police already and will be reported to the SSPCA too.
“Any information please report to the police immediately on 101 as whoever has done this can’t get away with this and they could go on to hurt other animals.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said:“Around 2.15pm on Monday, April 26, we received a report of a cat having been injured in the Harris Court area of Perth.
“The cat was seen to be unwell and following a veterinary examination, it is thought the cat has been shot.
“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 1773 of April 26, 2021.”
Whilst air weapons are not banned in Scotland, air weapons are subject to licensing and permits, and those wishing to own or operate one are required to apply for a certificate.