Kitten Killed In Air Rifle Attack 
A couple have been left devastated after their kitten was shot and killed.
Seven-month-old Indiana died shortly after undergoing surgery on a pellet wound caused by an air rifle.
His owners Alison and Mark Jones, of Weston Park, Longton, are now afraid to let their three remaining cats out in case the same thing happens again.
Mrs Jones, aged 44, said: “Indiana used to be in and out of the cat flap all the time, so when he was out for an hour we thought it was strange.
“All our cats have a tracking device on their collar, so we tracked him and found he was in the garden.
“My husband went outside and found him lying there and knew there was something wrong with him. We couldn’t see a wound but it was like he was in shock, and he had been sick.”
The couple rushed Indiana to the emergency vets at the PDSA in Stoke and he was kept in overnight. The next day an x-ray revealed a pellet lodged in his thigh.
He was taken to vets Rogers, Brock and Barker in Longton where an operation revealed that the pellet had passed through his intestines and caused serious damage.
Although he survived the operation, he died shortly afterwards.
Mrs Jones, a charity shop manager, said: “We are devastated. We lost a cat six months ago through ill health and that was a bad enough shock, but when someone shoots a young, healthy cat for a laugh it’s disgusting.
“He was the most beautiful cat you’ve ever seen. He was a rescue cat and we had only had him for five months. We loved him so much and we feel like a light has been switched off.
“I’m scared to death of letting my other cats out. There are a lot of cats in the area where we live and I think people need to be made aware this has happened.”
Vet Bruce Barker, from Rogers, Brock and Barker, treated Indiana.
He said: “We have seen an increase in the number of air pellet injuries coming in. Some cats are lucky and survive, but some don’t.
“Unfortunately, Indiana wasn’t able to make it through.
“There are enough diseases and risks for animals without man targeting them. This was just wanton nastiness which was completely avoidable.”
Mr and Mrs Jones reported the attack to the police and the RSPCA and both are investigating.
RSPCA inspector Martin Dolan said: “I am quite frankly disgusted that people haven’t got better things to do with their time.
“Aiming an air gun at an animal in order to cause it pain and suffering is a criminal offence and if we find out who is responsible for these attacks we will prosecute.
“The police have also been informed and are carrying out their own investigations.”
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2 Comments on “Kitten Killed In Air Rifle Attack”
This is horrible beyond words. How can somebody be so immature and cruel as to hurt a defenseless animal like a kitten. I’m sooo sorry that Indiana had to go to the rainbow bridge. I hope they find the person responsible and prosecute him.
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The rotten folks who are shooting at cats are awful but I gotta say in light of something like this:
“He said: “We have seen an increase in the number of air pellet injuries coming in. Some cats are lucky and survive, but some don’t.”
It just confirms that our domestic pets do not belong outside. They can’t defend themselves against predators of all types.
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