Cat owner pays out nearly £600 after second pet is shot
A cat owner has been forced to pay almost £600 in vet's bills after a second shooting incident involving one of his pets.
Andrew Mason's cat Poppy was shot in her rear left leg with an air weapon.
The cat is recovering after being injured last month.
Mr Mason, 34, who rescued Poppy when he moved into his home at Ryhall, in Rutland, a decade ago said his other cat, Lucky, a two-year-old black and grey tabby, was shot in the leg earlier this year.
Mr Mason, of Turnpike Road, said: "Poppy had been out about two or three hours and when she came back was sitting on the settee.
"There were no obvious signs, but we knew something wasn't right. At first we thought she'd been clipped by a car."
Poppy was taken to the vet who warned that because of her age she might not come round from the anaesthetic.
Mr Mason said: "It makes you feel sick.
"The pellet was quite deep and it was quite a big operation to get the pellet out.
"She's back on her feet now, but is a bit wary of going any further than the back garden.
"Lucky was shot during the Easter holidays and Poppy during the back end of the summer holidays. It makes you wonder if someone has a vendetta against you.
"Police think it might be kids. If it is, they need stopping now before they do something worse."
Mr Mason, who had to pay a £577 vet's bill, said: "No-one would insure her because of her age and we have no medical history of her from when we took her in."
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by Jane, Markfield
Friday, September 10 2010, 11:35AM
“I suggest cat owners keep their pets confined to their own properties!. Then they would not be harmed in such a sick way.
I'am totally fed up with the cats in my area, mess on my lawn, driveway and flower beds, numerous scratches on my car!
I would not harm an animal, but feel like giving their owners a shake sometimes!
There must be a device to stop them being a nuisance to me!
Jane
Markfield”
by Jon, leics
Friday, September 10 2010, 10:07AM
“Hi CG Lee
I am aware you are a retired police officer as you have mentioned it before, the law has changed since you retired as the Antisocial Behaviour act 2003 and Violent Crime Reduction act 2006 tightened up the fire arms regulations regarding airguns, any one under 17 may not buy or hire an airgun, and anyone selling an airgun or ammunition to an under 18 commits an offence.
Under 14 years old's must be supervised by an over 21 at all times and 14 to 17 can only use it on private property unsupervised. To cross a public place they must be supervised by an over 21 and the weapon must be covered securely.
I use airguns both for sport and as a trained pest controller so I would view any attempt to put more controls similar to section one as an unnecessary imposition in fact if I had to choose between licensing and registering air weapons or going for a section one I would choose section one as you can have much more powerful air weapons on a section one than the current 12ftlb limit.”
by CGLee, near Melton
Thursday, September 09 2010, 5:10PM
“Jon, from your comment you are obviously aware that I am a retired police officer.
Yes, of course I realise that an offence was committed in this instance but the point that I was trying to make was that air weapons should be controlled in the same way as Sect. 1 firearms. At present anyone over the age of 14 is allowed to own an air weapon (unless the law has changed since I retired).
To suggest that one would have choice between an air gun or a powerful firearm is missing the point and a little naive. Persons wishing to own a Sect 1 weapon have to be able to prove that they have a valid reason for its possession. They have to be properly registered and possession of ammunition is also restricted by the terms of the licence.”
by Simon, new parks
Thursday, September 09 2010, 5:08PM
“Well said Jon. This criminal could potentially be charged with a long list of offences which carry long prison sentences and fines eg. armed trespass, permitting a pellet to escape from permitted land, have a loaded firearm in public, animal cruelty. Not supervising a minor etc etc”
by Jon, leics
Thursday, September 09 2010, 3:32PM
“CG Lee
You of all people should be aware that shooting a cat like that is a firearms offence and is dealt with according to the firearms legislation - however how often do we hear it being applied correctly in instances like this.
If the laws were applied correctly the person who shot the cat and if they are under age the person that supplied them with the air weapon would be prosecuted and possibly face a 5 years sentence.
As for licensing them with section one fire arms which will people choose, an airgun that put out less than 12 ftlb or a firearm that put out 1000ftlb ¿ I know which one I would choose if that¿s my option.”