Police probe after cat shootings
• Owners on red alert following incidents • 10-month-old tabby hit by air-gun pellet
FAMILIES have been put on red alert and police are investigating after several cats were shot. According to Vets4Pets in Rawtenstall, “numerous” cats have been shot recently in the Helmshore area.
Tracey Shaw said her and husband David’s 10-month old tabby Loki was hit by an air gun pellet last weekend, but they only discovered the horrifying truth behind his injuries when they took him to the vets in Rawtenstall.
A Lancashire Police spokesman said they are investigating the incident.
A“DEVASTATED” cat owner whose pet is one of several to be shot in a Valley village says he is lucky to be alive.
Families have been put on red alert and police are investigating after multiple cats died after being shot in the Helmshore area.
According to Vets4Pets in Rawtenstall, “numerous” cats have been shot recently.
Tracey Shaw said her and husband David’s 10-month old tabby Loki was hit by an air gun pellet last weekend, but they only discovered the horrifying truth behind his injuries when they took him to the vets in Rawtenstall.
She said: “We arrived home on Saturday night and we found him injured and very distressed. He went to the vets first thing on Monday. I thought he had fallen out of a tree or something because he likes to climb.
“They informed me he had actually been shot. I’m devastated that somebody from my community can do this. I cannot believe that in this lovely community something so awful could happen.”
The bullet entered near Loki’s backside and entered his leg before stopping. While he was badly bruised, Tracey, 51, said Loki’s damage was thankfully just to soft tissue and he is now recovering well.
Landed with a £900 vet bill, Tracey has nothing but praise for the vets.
“The cost doesn’t matter. We just wanted him better,” she said. “He was very, very lucky that it had not hit any bone or cartilage or an artery. But I believe there were a number [of cats] that weren’t so lucky. I do know of four other local cats that have shot within the past 12 months in the vicinity of Helmshore - in the area of Mercer Crescent. There is somebody on that cul-desac who had her cat shot this year and somebody on the road the opposite way who has had two cats shot. It’s shocking.”
Tracey, who works in local government, says she has been doing her own enquries locally, as she is afraid that when she eventually lets Loki out.
“He loves going outside and playing,” she said.
“He’s recovered so well and is dying to go outside but I’ve got to keep him in for now. He’s adorable and so affectionate and really friendly as well. I’m hoping people haven’t called him over. Because this has happened so often somebody in the community knows damn well who it is.”
A spokesperson for the Rawtenstall vets said on their Facebook page: “We are aware of numerous cats from the Helmshore area that have been shot. This is a recent occurrence with cats being presented with gun shot wounds.
Unfortunately some of these injuries have been fatal. Please be cautious of letting your cats out in this area and if you are aware of any suspicious activity then please call the local police.”
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “The matter has been reported to us and we are investigating.”
Free Press readers have reacted with horror at the revelations on our Facebook page.
Victoria Cunliffe posted: “Just evil individuals who could do this.”
Becky Louise Niemeyer: “My cat has been shot a few times in Haslingden so it’s not just Helm shore ... thinking of all the people who lost their beloved pet x”