Cruel gunman sought (From Leigh Journal)

Cruel gunman sought

9:00am Thursday 4th February 2010

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A CRUEL gunman is being sought after a cat was shot eight times.

The cat, Jasper, was found collapsed in a factory in North Lane between the Blackmoor housing estate and Gin Pit village.

A worker at the factory saw the injured animal and called the RSPCA. He was rushed to Tyldesley Veterinary Centre where he was scanned for a microchip and his owner contacted.

Owner, Mrs Rose Doherty, who lives just a short distance from where Jasper was found, said: “I can’t believe anyone could do something like this. Jasper has had to have two operations so far and it’s been touch and go. Three of the pellets haven’t been removed as they’re so deeply embedded. We still don’t know how well he’ll recover. We’re devastated by what’s happened.”

Jasper was shot in the head and neck. He’s lost the sight in one eye as a result. He was also hit in the abdomen, pelvis, leg and paw. “He was clinging to life for a week,” said Rose, who, along with her husband Steve, took the young cat in as a stray about six months ago.

“We’re so thankful he was strong enough to pull through and that we’d had him microchipped, otherwise we might never have got him back.”

Jasper has now been allowed home but is still under veterinary care.

The RSPCA said cats are the second most common species to be targeted by people misusing airguns, after wild birds. In 2009 the RSPCA dealt with 141 airgun incidents across the north of England, 41 of which involved cats. In 2008 those figures were 130 and 51 respectively.

RSPCA inspector Caroline Hall said: “Airgun incidents are a big issue for the RSPCA and what’s even more worrying is that the ones we hear about are just the tip of the iceberg.

“Many of the animals targeted simply crawl away and die in agony as might have happened here had Jasper not been spotted.”

Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison and/or £20,000 fine.

Inspector Hall said: “Jasper, and his owners, are suffering tremendously because someone fancied using him for a bit of target-practice. We want to know who.

“Anyone who knows anything should contact us on our 24-hour cruelty line 0300 1234 999 as soon as possible and ask to leave a message for me.

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