'Lucky-to-be-alive' shot cat's owner faces £10k bill
BBCA grandmother whose cat was shot multiple times with an air rifle has said her pet is "lucky to be alive" after five pellets were found lodged in his body.
The four-year-old, named Ronnie, was believed to have been cornered before being shot, given the extent of his injuries.
Owner Pam, 69, from Halewood on Merseyside, described how she first knew something was wrong when her cat was late coming home and then screamed when it was picked up.
It comes as Merseyside Police warned pet owners to remain vigilant after reports of two separate shooting incidents in the area. Ronnie's owners have been quoted up to £10,000 to have the pellets removed.
At first Pam and her husband Chris thought the cat may have been injured after being hit by car, but a scan by a vet revealed it had suffered shots to its leg and body and five pellets were stuck inside.
After being referred to a vet hospital Pam and her husband Chris were told it could cost up to £10,000 to remove the pellets.
Pam said she was so upset after the incident that she cancelled a planned holiday to Spain.
"This happened on the Tuesday and me and my husband were due to go to Malaga with friends on the Thursday," she said.
"There was no way I was going to leave him in a cattery after that.
"You just love them so much, pets are like family."
The couple said their pet insurance only covers up to £7,000 and Ronnie is currently on antibiotics and being monitored by vets.
Pam said that after sharing her experience online she was shocked to hear about similar incidents in the area.
"We became aware of another cat that was shot recently and died," she said.
"This could have been a child hurt. That's what's most worrying."
Merseyside Police said it took such incidents of anti-social behaviour seriously and urged anyone aware of similar incidents to contact the force.
Local charity Tails Animal Welfare said it had seen a "worrying rise" in attacks on animals, including wildlife and birds, across the area in recent months.
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