A cat has been shot in the Hengoed area with an air weapon – prompting RSPCA Cymru to launch an appeal for information.
Owners of the three-year-old white and tortoiseshell cat found her on October 1 at their Gelligaer home with injuries to the right side of her abdomen.
Vets later confirmed the cat had been shot and found a metal pellet in her body – but, thankfully, the cat only required pain medication and has been recovering well from the attack.
The pellet cannot be removed – as vets feel surgery could be more risky than leaving the bullet where it is.
An appeal for information has now been launched, in the hope that someone will come forward to help the RSPCA’s investigations.
The owners believe the cat was targeted between 6am and 8am on 1 October.
RSPCA inspector Gemma Black said: “It is so shocking to think somebody in the Hengoed area has targeted an innocent cat in this way.
“Thankfully, she is recovering well after the attack – but we are really eager to find out what happened here.
“Anyone who saw anything suspicious on the morning of 1 October can contact the RSPCA’s inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”
Between January 2020 and the end of June 2021, 371 incidents have been reported to the RSPCA’s emergency line about animals reportedly targeted by an air gun or rifle.
Inspector Gemma added: “We sadly all too often hear of animals targeted by air weapons – and clearly more needs to be done to regulate the use of these weapons and their impact on animals.
“From basic safety training for owners, to a thorough explanation of the law – including our obligations towards animals – there’s so much more we can do to ensure incidents like this don’t happen so often.”
Should you wish to support the work of the RSPCA, you can donate online.
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.
