Braintree: Warning after pet cat shot twice (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Braintree: Warning after pet cat shot twice

9:40am Thursday 8th January 2009 in News By Ryan McCarthy

Pet owners have been warned to be vigilant after thugs used air rifles to shoot twice at a cat.

Toni Johnson of Warley Close, Braintree, said the first thing she knew of her cat Dizzy’s injuries was when she spotted bloody paw prints leading from the cat flap.

Dizzy is now recovering but Miss Johnson wants to warn other pet owners, and parents, as her cat was shot while out in the playing field near her home.

The attack happened at about 4.30pm on December 29.

Miss Johnson, 37, said Dizzy had been in the field at the bottom of Warley Close and he came back limping and leaving “bloody prints everywhere”.

She cleaned his two wounds and first thing the next day took him to Black Notley Veterinary Surgery.

“Although we had stopped the bleeding the x-rays showed he had two pellets embedded in his legs.

“The worry is it happened on a playing field where children play and people walk their dogs,” Miss Johnson said.

She added that Dizzy is a friendly cat who is not street-wise.

Sgt Andrew Stott of Braintree Police warned that people and pet owners ought to be extra vigilant because “for some strange reason people can sometimes do what is an awful thing,” and it can be difficult to catch those responsible.

Miss Johnson said: “If Dizzy was shot once, then maybe it could have been accidental but twice shows it was deliberate which is not acceptable.”

Dizzy had his legs shaved when the pellets were removed and has two scars but he is recovering well.