Shropshire owners angry after cat shot in the face

Tabby cat Snowy was shot on Sunday night after being let out of her home at Tern Hill near Market Drayton, and her owners have said she could have been killed.

Darren Turner, 39, lives with Snowy, his wife Jill and their four children Kayleigh, 15, Nick, 10, Yvee, four, and Skye, two, in Pandrel Close.

He said: "We had been out to Liverpool for the day and Snowy was in the house with our other two cats.

"When we got back at about 7.30pm we let her out and she went straight to a little area of grass quite close to use where there is a play park close to Bubble Gym which is used by the Army.

"Snowy likes to wonder around those area. But then at about 9.15pm we saw her staggering down the path and could see that her eye was really bloodshot and then we could see that she had this pellet stuck in her head."

Mr Turner rushed Snowy straight to the Nantwich Veterinary Hospital where a metal mushroom shaped pellet was removed.

Mr Turner, who is a freelance wedding photographer, said: "It looked like it was from some form of air gun and the vet told us that he thought it was shot with some precision, maybe it was with a sight or something, I'm not sure.

"Snowy is lucky it hit her at a 45 degree angle and got stuck in the skin, it could have been an awful lot worse.

"It is really concerning that someone would do something like this and we have reported it to the police.

"The other thing is there are children, including our own that play in that area and its not good to have this kind of thing happening there.

"At that time there would still have been children out playing because it is the summer holidays and still light."

And Mr Taylor's wife Jill has sent out a strong message to those who shot the cat.

She said: "To the person who shot our cat between the eyes last night, with a precision shot, you didn't expect the cat to move her head at the last minute. Snowy has had her operation, we have the evidence, and appropriate authorities are involved. This is a crime which carries a custodial sentence. Be warned you will be found."

The RSPCA have said air gun shootings upon animals are all too common and is cause for concerns.

Already this year, the charity has been inundated with almost 580 calls about air gun attacks nationwide and dealt with some horrific cases of animals being seriously injured in these mindless attacks.

However, it believes that the actual number of cases may be much higher as many injured animals will look for a well-wooded or sheltered area in which to die so the RSPCA may not be contacted.

Animals such as cats and wild birds are sadly the usual targets for these callous acts but the offence all too frequently extends to dogs, fish and even horses.

An RSPCA spokesman said: "Unfortunately, we do see far too many cases of injuries inflicted by air guns every year. Many of these injuries are fatal but even those animals who are lucky enough to survive can have their quality of life significantly reduced.

"It is very distressing to think that people take pleasure in causing such horrific injuries to defenceless animals. These are deliberate acts of cruelty and I would appeal to people's consciences not to commit such an atrocious offence."

The RSPCA is reminding people of the penalties faced if caught deliberately using an air gun to injure an animal. Under the Animal Welfare Act, those causing unnecessary suffering to animals face a £20,000 fine and/or up to six months in prison.

On this occasion it seems Snowy has been lucky and is currently recuperating with painkillers.

Local policing officer for Market Drayton Rural South, PC Mick Sturland, said: "We don't have any witnesses as yet but we know roughly where it happened.

"The Royal Irish has been made aware and they are going to check to see in their rank whether anyone has information."

Anyone who witnesses the attack should contact the police on 101 or call the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999.