Cat shot with airgun sparks RSPCA appeal

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a cat was shot with an airgun in Cambridgeshire.

Four-year-old Eddy struggled back to his home in Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, on 21 December where he was found bleeding and limping.

His owners initially thought he had been hit by a car and took him to an emergency vet where X-rays revealed a pellet had fractured part of his femur.

Georgie Godby, his owner, said: "The pellet hit just 4mm (0.15in) away from severing the sciatic nerve, and if Eddy hadn't undergone surgery, he would have become very lame and continue to be in a lot of pain."

The RSPCA said Eddy was transferred to a specialist veterinary hospital for surgery where the pellet was removed and his broken leg bone pinned.

Godby said it had had a "huge emotional impact" on her family.

"It put a dampener on our Christmas and my son's birthday, and we had to take Eddy back and forth between our vet and the veterinary hospital, after he became very withdrawn after the operation," she said.

The animal protection charity was contacted after the incident and said it was appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.

Justin Stubbs, who was investigating, said: "It's very upsetting to think that a much-loved family pet has suffered needlessly - poor Eddy is lucky to be alive."

The RSPCA said it was continuing to call for stricter regulations around owning an airgun in both England and Wales.

Godby said: "He's currently at the end of a six-week stint of cage rest, which has been quite distressing for him as he's used to being active, out and about."

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