Barry Cat Dies After Pellet Gun Shooting
An appeal for information has been launched after a Barry cat died on a veterinarian’s recovery table after being shot by an air rifle.
The cat, named Rusty, had the pellet removed by operation on 24 February.
An x-ray scan revealed the pellet in the cat’s back, but – sadly – Rusty did not make it through the recovery stages following surgery.
The cat started to appear unwell approximately two weeks earlier, but had no obvious wounds on her body, so it was not apparent she had been the victim of a shooting. Rusty was also being treated for a chest infection. However, it is now believed this is when the shooting took place.
RSPCA Cymru is urging anyone with information potentially related to the incident to contact the charity’s inspectorate appeal line. The incident is understood to have taken place on Brookfield Avenue, where the cat lived.
Gemma Black, RSPCA inspector, said:
“Our thoughts are with Rusty’s owner at this very difficult time for them.
“The cat sadly didn’t recover from the operation on 24 February – with the shooting believed to have taken place about a fortnight before, on Brookfield Avenue.
“Simply, this sad and shocking incident is the latest example of the suffering to pets that one person with an air weapon can cause.
“We urge anyone with any relevant information to come forward, and contact the RSPCA’s inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”
Rusty’s owner Kathryn Price said:
“We are heartbroken to lose Rusty, who was one of our three much-loved cats.
“She was an older cat, who didn’t go far – so we fear the shooting took place whilst she was in our back garden, with the pellet coming from above.”
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