Case Details

Cat shot resulting in leg amputation
Milford, MI (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Jun 24, 2006
County: Oakland
Local Map: available
Disposition: Open
Case Images: 1 files available

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case ID: 9131
Classification: Shooting
Animal: cat
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Animal was offleash or loose
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Blackberry the cat is adjusting to life on three limbs after someone allegedly shot her on June 24 near her Milford home on Edgewood Road.

The injury led to an amputation of Blackberry's rear leg the next day. Police were contacted, but there are no suspects in the case.

Stephanie Spurr, 15, found her 5-year-old, long-haired black feline bloodied and suffering in her family's garden late Saturday morning.

"I had walked past her earlier and saw her lying there, looking rather peaceful and serene. I thought she was just enjoying the garden, but then my daughter picked her up and burst into tears," said Jim Spurr, who has owned Blackberry since she was a kitten.

"Her foot was just dangling, hanging by a thread with the bone sticking out."

Spurr said the paw was so badly mangled that at first he wondered if Blackberry had stepped into a trap. Right away, he consulted with the pet's regular veterinarian, who referred him to Veterinary Care Specialists in Milford for emergency treatment. An X-ray revealed the injury was caused by a gun.

"It was at least a 22-caliber," Spurr said. "It literally blew the foot right off."

The veterinarian gave him two choices: amputation or heading off to veterinarian orthopedic specialists at the University of Michigan to undergo up to 12 weeks of extensive treatment and therapy � with no guarantee. Spurr said he felt the veterinarian believed the amputation was probably the best option.

Two days later, Blackberry was back at home and able to get around on her own, including climbing up and down stairs. Spurr said the veterinarian explained the surgery could leave Blackberry less active than before, and he did notice she was acting a bit sluggish ever since.

"But that could be from all the pain medication that she's taking," he said. "We'll have to wait and see."

Surgery ran some $2,000, he said.

He's pleased Blackberry is doing so well, of course, but said the ordeal has been disturbing and very upsetting to Stephanie. Spurr suspects the culprit was someone "screwing around" rather than someone who had intentionally set out to hurt his cat.

"It could be some 10-year-old or 12-year-old kid out with his dad's gun, or his own gun, maybe shooting at squirrels or something. I really don't think there is someone out there trying to hurt local pets. It's probably just some impulsive act," he said. "But whoever did this needs to think a little more about the consequences of those actions, both for themselves and other people."

He also suggests parents pay close attention to what their kids are doing.

Spurr said Blackberry never wanders more than one-quarter mile from home so he believes the shooting took place nearby. "She was able to drag herself back here, but what if she hadn't found her way home?"

If the person responsible for shooting Blackberry is identified, he or she could face felony animal cruelty charges. Also possible is a misdemeanor charge of illegally discharging a weapon.

Anyone who has information on the incident can reach the Milford Police at (248) 684-1815.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Milford Police
(248) 684-1815.

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References

Hometown Life - June 29, 2006

« MI State Animal Cruelty Map

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