THE FAMILY of a cat shot twice in one week spoke of their concern that a child may be the next victim.
Lesley Brown of Prestatyn who owns Tiggie, a six-year-old cat, fears the affectionate animal has been targeted by an airgun yob after discovering wounds in her flank.
Mrs Brown said: “Our lovely little tabby cat came home and my daughter Georgia, a Rhyl High pupil, said ‘Mum, she’s got a hole in her side’. I didn’t like the look of it and thought maybe she’d been cut or something, but it was a perfectly round hole. Then it happened again, almost in the same place.
“Tiggie doesn’t fight. She’s very good natured. She’s not a cat who wanders far.”
Mrs Brown said as Tiggie’s territory did not extend away from the house, she was concerned the owner of the pellet gun might live nearby.
She said: “We’re just down the road from the High School. I’m worried that if there’s anyone with an airgun around here, it won’t be an adult. It’s going to be a child.”
Mrs Brown said the family had cared for Tiggie since she was a four-month-old kitten, that she was a “gentle” cat who would not provoke an attack.
“She loves nothing more than to sit on your knee. I can’t see anyone wanting to harm her. I’m horrified to think that Tiggie might not come home one day. And it’s not going to be just our cat.”
“I’m also worried about the safety of the gun owner. If they are shooting at cats they clearly haven’t been properly trained. My son Gregory is joining the Army cadets. He’s 14 and they teach him how to use guns and about improper use.”
An RSPCA spokesman said they dealt with 567 complaints,, collections and rescues last year regarding air gun incidents, and that cats were the most frequent victims of these attacks.
To report an air gun incident, or any other form of animal cruelty, call the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999.