Stray cat treated in Wem after being shot by heartless attacker
A cat was recovering today after being shot in the neck by someone armed with an air rifle.
The cat, which is believed to be a stray, is now being cared for by staff at Bridgefield Veterinary Surgery, in Wem, who are hoping to find him a new home.
Louise Garmston, veterinary nurse, said the cat was lucky to be alive after the pellet became lodged in his neck.
She said: "Sadly this is something that we are starting to see more and more.
"The bullet has landed in the neck but if it had been closer to the spine it could have caused a lot more damage so in a way he is lucky it landed where it did.
"There are a lot of veins in a cat's neck so it could have been life threatening if it had hit him somewhere else.
"Worryingly this is becoming more frequent, we had a cat in a few months ago that had also been shot.
"But it is still a shock when a pellet is found.
"You get a sinking feeling when you realise that someone has deliberately aimed a gun at a cat, probably quite close too, and pulled the trigger."
Ms Garmston said the cat was handed into them from by a kind pensioner from Wem who has been caring for him.
She said: "The cat is only young and is very friendly.
"A caring pensioner has been feeding him but the lady noticed he was limping so she brought him into us. The X-ray showed the cause of his lameness was an airgun pellet found lodged in his neck.
"We are almost certain he is a stray because the lady lives nearby and we have had no reports of a missing black cat. We are desperate to find him a new home. He really is very friendly and would be happiest somewhere where he can do his own thing."
Ms Garmston added the lady who found him has contributed £100 from her pension to pay for the cat to be vaccinated and treated for fleas and worms.
