Airgun pellet exploded our cat’s leg bone
Owner has to raise £2000 or put pet to sleep
A PET owner who found her cat covered in blood discovered it had been shot with an air rifle.
Tegan Raistrick found one-year-old Orla badly injured outside the family’s home in Methil, Fife.
A vet initially thought she had been bitten on the shoulder but X-rays revealed there was a metal pellet lodged inside her front leg bone.
The force of the impact caused it to “explode”, Tegan said, and she was told it would cost £1993 to fix Orla, or have her put to sleep.
Mum-of-one Tegan couldn’t face saying goodbye to her five-year-old daughter Ailey’s best friend, and started a GoFundMe internet page to pay the bill.
She opted for surgery to put a metal plate in Orla’s leg. The vet warned the limb is still in danger.
Tegan, 27, said: “There is still a risk of amputation because of how badly the bone was damaged but she’s putting weight on her leg now, which is amazing.
“She’s to go for X-rays to keep an eye on how the bone is healing but right now she’s in a crate and on four medications.”
“I had a wee woman knock on my door and ask if I was the person with the cat. She gave me £20.
“It’s amazing how much the community comes together.”
Police said they were investigating the incident, which was reported on November 27.