Appeal after family cat was shot in Norwich

Hunter unfortunately had to be put to sleep.

Hunter went missing from his home in Fairfax Road on Saturday, March 30 and his owner put out an appeal to find him and desperately searched the area.

He was found hiding in a shed at a house on the same road the following Wednesday (April 3) – and members of the public who found him called the local vets who picked him up.

His owner was traced using his microchip and they rushed straight to the vets – but unfortunately x-rays revealed that Hunter had been shot in the spine and heartbreakingly, due to the extent of his injuries, his owner had to make the devastating decision to kill him put to sleep because nothing more could be done to help him.

His owner is shocked and devastated by what happened to Hunter, who was only a year and a half old. Hunter had lived with his owners since he was just four months old.

The owner also received a high vet bill because someone targeted her cat.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer David Allen said: “It is devastating to hear what happened to poor Hunter and our thoughts go out to his owner. Why anyone would seemingly target an innocent animal like this is unfathomable; it’s just cruel and so unnecessary.

It leaves a family heartbroken and I am shocked at what has happened to poor Hunter.”

“We know we’re not alone in thinking that any deliberate attack on an animal in this way is abhorrent, but unfortunately incidents like this are not uncommon. We receive hundreds of calls every year to investigate air gun shootings and unfortunately, cats and wild animals are usually the animals most commonly affected.

“We would all like to see a world where animals are treated with kindness and respect. But while it’s still too easy for people to get their hands on an air rifle, without the necessary basic safety training or understanding the impact these weapons have, animals remain at risk.

“That is why the RSPCA wants stricter regulations – including better education, training for owners and a thorough explanation of the law – which could help protect countless animals from such attacks in the future.”

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