Cat shot with pellet gun
Hopedale, MA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Nov 14, 2006
County: Worcester
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
The 15-month-old indoor cat was shot by a pellet gun, sometime after getting restless and scampering out a door to explore the outside world near his Jones Road home.
"He's been a little more aloof," said Moe's owner, Margaret Trenchard, who reported Moe's assault to police on the afternoon of Nov 14. "We're going to be a little more diligent and not let him escape out the screen door. I don't want this to happen again."
Hopedale Police and the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are investigating the shooting. Trenchard said they have narrowed down the shooting to have occurred between 6 and 10 p.m. on Nov 13.
Though Moe is expected to fully recover from his injury -- a veterinarian removed the single pellet from Moe's right side on Tuesday -- concern about his attack lingers in his owners' and law enforcement officials' minds.
"It is entirely possible that a defense attorney would use the cat's recovery as an argument for leniency," said Peter Gollub, director of law enforcement for the MSPCA. "But it's hard to believe that someone is such a marksman that they knew they weren't going to seriously injure the cat."
Police said Moe was shot in the area of Jones Road which borders Rte. 140 near the Milford town line.
Trenchard said she was petting Moe Monday evening when she felt what she thought was a tick on the side of his stomach.
"As soon as I tried to pull it out, blood came out," Trenchard said. "He was definitely uncomfortable."
Hopedale Police Chief Eugene Costanza said his officers canvassed the area and talked to neighbors to see if anyone witnessed the incident.
"It's an awful thing...to shoot an animal like that," he said.
Gollub said his agency has taken over the investigation, which could result in a cruelty to animals charge if the shooter is found.
Trenchard, meanwhile, is concerned not only for her cat but also for area children.
"He's a helpless animal," Trenchard said of Moe. "If someone's capable of doing this to an animal, what else could they do?"
The MSPCA is urging area residents to check their pets for injuries. Anyone with information about this week's incident should call the MSPCA at 800-628-5808. References« MA State Animal Cruelty Map
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