The cat struggled back to his home where he was found bleeding and limping
A “much loved” cat shot in Cambridgeshire just days before Christmas, is lucky to be alive, says RSPCA. Four-year-old black cat, Eddy, struggled back to his home in Old Hurst, near Huntingdon on December 21, where he was found bleeding and limping, says the animal charity.
Eddy’s worried owners initially feared he had been hit by a car, and rushed him straight to an emergency vet. X-rays instead revealed that Eddy had been shot with an airgun and that the pellet had fractured a large part of his femur. The cat underwent surgery where the pellet was removed and the broken bone was pinned.
Eddy’s owner, Georgie Godby, said the pellet was just millimetres away from severing the sciatic nerve, and if he hadn’t undergone surgery he would have become “very lame and continue to be in a lot of pain.”
Georgie said Eddy is currently at the end of a six week stint of cage rest, which has been “quite distressing for him”.
Georgie added: “Eddy being shot has had a huge emotional impact on our family – seeing him hurt and in pain was horrible.
“It put a dampener on our Christmas and my son’s birthday, and we had to take Eddy back and forth between our vet and the veterinary hospital, after he became very withdrawn after the operation.
“It feels cruel and malicious and we’re now fearful about letting Eddy and our other cat out again. There are lots of other cats in the village too, and we want to warn owners to watch out for unexplained injuries that might otherwise be explained away as bites from fights.”
The RSPCA has since launched an appeal and is looking to hear from anyone who may have information on the incident. Anyone with information can contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
Inspector Justin Stubbs said: “It’s very upsetting to think that a much-loved family pet has suffered needlessly – poor Eddy is lucky to be alive. These weapons cause horrific pain and suffering, and whether it was deliberate or not, I’m keen to find out more.”
