Family tell of their ‘shock and anger’ after pet cat was left paralysed in sick gun attack
A SICKENING air gun attack on a cat left it paralysed before it was put to sleep by vets.
Six-year-old Pearly was unable to move her back legs and was heard crying in a nearby garden two days after going missing on July 25.
She was rushed to Medivet in Leamington Spa where X-rays discovered a pellet from an air gun was lodged in her spine.
Pearly’s suffering was ended by vets who made the difficult decision to put her to sleep - much to the devastation of Tanya Randle and her family.
The Robbins Way, Leamington, resident said: “I was upset and shocked and then it turned into anger. How can someone do that to an animal? It’s disgusting.”
She added: “We were calling for her in the garden and could hear her crying. We went into the alley behind our house and followed the sound of her cries to someone else’s garden. She couldn’t move.
“We don’t know who is responsible for shooting her. She never went far, she didn’t really roam, so it must have been someone local. It’s a small community and everyone has animals so it’s really shocking.”
Every year, the RSPCA receives hundreds of calls reporting incidents of animals being shot and injured - or even killed - by air guns.
We reported in June that a pet cat was shot with a crossbow in or around Gunton Avenue in Coventry.
RSPCA Inspector Claire Davey said: “We’re calling for mandatory licensing of air guns and also want to see improved enforcement of air gun legislation as well as better, more targeted education and explanation of the law for those buying one.
“These weapons are not only dangerous for our pets and wildlife, but also potentially dangerous for people too and it’s time there was more control over their sale and use.”
If anybody has any information about what happened to Pearly, contact the RSPCA’S appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
To report an incident involving an air gun or an injured animal, contact the RSPCA’S emergency hotline on 0300 1234 999. To help the RSPCA donate whatever you can spare at www.rspca. org.uk/covid.