Cat found with arrow in neck, birdshot in leg
Bella Vista, AR (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Apr 7, 2006
County: Benton

Disposition: Failed to Appear

Abuser names unreleased

Veterinarians at the Sugar Creek Animal Hospital were shocked when a stray cat was found Friday, April 7, with an arrow protruding from its neck. The 18-month-old calico cat was brought to the hospital, where Dr. Darlene Wehr performed surgery to remove the arrow, which is the kind deer hunters use. When the arrow hits its target, metal pieces on the tips retract, which makes the arrow difficult to remove.

Wehr and her staff noticed that the cat's leg was not responding to any stimuli. Upon closer inspection, they found that the cat had a fractured femur because of bird shot in its leg, and it had to be amputated. The surgeries were successful, and the cat should be released sometime this week. Wehr believes the cat sustained the injuries a full week before it was found.

Wehr was appalled at the idea of a person inflicting such abuse on an animal, and said animal cruelty laws need to be stiffened. "A thousand-dollar fine is just a slap on the wrist. It's nothing," Dr. Wehr said about the current laws.

Once the cat has recovered, it will be released to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter for adoption.

References

• The Benton County Daily Record - May 9, 2006

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