The RSPCA is investigating the shooting of a cat in a village near Harrogate which left the animal seriously injured and on the ‘brink of death’.

Seven year old ginger cat Timmy was found by it’s owner’s neighbour in Markington on Wednesday 10th March with a serious wound to his left shoulder.

An x-ray at the vets found he’d been shot with a pellet which had shattered his shoulder and sent shrapnel all over his body,

Luckily the shrapnel missed his vital organs as this could have been potentially fatal.

RSPCA Inspector Natalie Taylor, who is now investigating, said:

“This poor cat would have been in terrible pain from the gun wound and he’s so lucky that the shrapnel didn’t damage his vital organs. Poor Timmy was on the brink of death before the vets operated on his shoulder and saved him.

“His owners are understandably distraught, shocked and truly horrified by what has happened to Timmy. He is a much-loved pet cat and this was a callous and horrible act of cruelty against him. The vet said that the shot must have been fired at close range which would suggest someone really wanted to hurt Timmy.”

“It is very distressing to think that people take pleasure in causing such horrific injuries to defenceless animals. These are deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty.

“We find that cats and wildlife are normally the animals that are more susceptible to these kinds of incidents simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them. More commonly, these animals fall victim to airgun attacks but due to the nature of the shrapnel throughout poor Timmy’s body the vet believes his injury came from a shotgun.

“Anyone caught deliberately injuring an animal can face up to six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine if found guilty under the Animal Welfare Act.”

The RSPCA is now appealing for anyone with information to please contact the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

 

 

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