Cat shot in head with pellet gun Fleming Island, FL (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Nov 7, 2001 County: Clay Local Map: available Disposition: Open Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case ID: 4742 Classification: Shooting Animal: cat View more cases in FL (US) Animal was offleash or loose Login to Watch this Case

Clive and Betty Rayner's cat, Elsie, was shot in the head with a pellet gun leaving her blind in one eye. The Rayners are convinced the shooting is the act of someone who needs to be stopped before maiming or killing other animals or perhaps a person.

The veterinarian said judging from the trajectory of the pellet, it looked like the cat was shot at close range by someone standing directly over her. The pellet went through her eye and lodged in her neck.

The Rayners are so worried that Elsie's assailant will go unpunished they are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter.

The Rayners estimate Elsie was shot on Nov 7. Betty Rayner found the injured cat that evening in their bedroom. She said, "Her eyeball was protruded; she couldn't close her eyelid. It thought it was odd that she wasn't trying to touch it or rub it. Now we know it's because it hurt so bad."

A veterinarian had to remove Elsie's eyeball and sew the socket closed. X-rays showed a pellet lodged in such a precarious position at the back of the neck that it would have been too dangerous to try to remove it.

The Rayners rescued Elsie about six months ago when they were driving on County Road 220 and saw someone toss an object out the window of a pick up truck. The object thrown out of the window was Elsie.

All the Rayners animals have been rescued from the county pound or the streets.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Clive & Betty Rayner

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References

The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville - Dec 5, 2001

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