Sniper targets cat (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Sniper targets cat

11:11am Wednesday 14th June 2006 in Local By Vicky O'Hare

A MYSTERY cat sniper is being hunted after a treasured family pet was shot in the leg with an airgun.

Minstrel, a 13-month-old black and white cat, had to have more than £700 of veterinary treatment as a result of his extensive injuries and may never regain full use of his leg.

Owner Sarah Jones, 33, of Fylingdales Close, Buckskin, Basingstoke, said Minstrel came home on the morning of Tuesday, May 30, after staying out for several nights, which was not unusual.

"He dragged himself into the kitchen on the morning and straight away I knew something was wrong," explained Miss Jones.

"He was really weak and could hardly walk. I could see a clean hole in one of his back legs and some of his fur was missing."

Miss Jones took Minstrel - who was a gift for her two daughters Holly, seven, and Molly, four - to the vets straight away, but it wasn't until he was X-rayed that the vet discovered the horrific extent of the cat's injuries.

I could see a clean hole in one of his back legs and some of his fur was missing

Sarah Jones

The bone in his back leg had been shattered and he had to undergo a major operation to insert metal pins into the bone and fit a metal frame outside the leg to support the bone while it heals.

"I was so shocked," added Miss Jones. "We have had him since he was eight weeks old and I can't believe that someone could do something like this.

"There are some sick people out there."

The pet will have the metal bars on his leg for about three months.

"The vet has done everything he can to save Minstrel's leg but we have been told that he might never fully recover," said Miss Jones.

"All we can do is hope the bone heals properly and that the police catch the people responsible so this does not happen again."

Julie Jones, media and corporate communications manager for Hampshire Constabulary's North and East Operational Command Unit, said: "Fortunately, incidents like this are rare and we are hopeful that those responsible are identified quickly."

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Basingstoke police station on 0845 045 4545.