Cat shot with airgun, dies Hartlepool, EN (UK)Incident Date: Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
THE RSPCA is appealing for information after a cat died when it was shot by an airgun in the back garden of its home. T3, an 18-month-old male tabby cat, was discovered by his owners, Marilyn and Wilf Caygill, in their back garden in Romanby Close, Hartlepool, on April 22.
His was lying limp and an injury in his right-hand side was oozing blood.
The couple took T3 to a veterinary surgeon, who confirmed the injury had been caused by an air rifle. Despite every effort, T3 died shortly afterwards.
The RSPCA is helping the couple track down the people responsible for T3's death.
Mrs Caygill said: "I'm absolutely devastated.
"I just can't believe anyone would want to deliberately injure an animal like this.
"We adopted T3 as a stray and gave him his unusual name as a tribute to our two previous cats, who were both called Tiger.
"He was very playful and always full of energy and we loved having him around the house.
"It's a terrible shame he's gone.
He was a lovely cat and didn't deserve such a horrific death."
RSPCA deputy chief inspector Mark Gent said: "This is a shocking case in which a domestic, friendly cat appears to have been deliberately targeted and made to suffer.
"This is just one of many irresponsible airgun-related incidents RSPCA inspectors regularly have to deal with.
"Many afflicted wild animals will hide away to die painful and lingering deaths, and air pellet entry wounds are difficult to detect by the untrained eye.
"If anyone saw, heard or knows anything about this incident, we are keen to hear from them urgently."
Anyone with information about this incident, or any incidents of animal cruelty, is asked to call the RSPCA cruelty and advice line on 0300-123-4999. If you have information on this case, please contact: RSPCA 0300-123-4999
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