RSPCA: Cat Shot With Crossbow Bolt - For The Second Time
Wednesday, 25, Apr 2007 12:00
Pepsi the cat is lucky to be alive after a crossbow bolt was shot through his chest, puncturing a lung and narrowly missing his heart.
It is the second time this year the black and white cat has needed veterinary treatment after being injured by a crossbow bolt. RSPCA inspector David Johnson branded the latest attack "disgusting" and is determined to track down the criminal responsible.
Pepsi returned to his home in Elmbank Avenue, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, on Tuesday 10 April at 8.30pm with a blue crossbow bolt sticking out of either side of his chest.
Darleen Matthews, 38, a member of Pepsi's family, said: "He is lucky to be alive. When he wandered in he was really quiet and wasn't himself at all. Then to our horror we noticed he had an arrow sticking out of him.
He was not bleeding much that we could see - but we were a bit panicky to see him in that state.
"The vet said it just missed his heart and punctured his lung and caused internal bleeding. He needed a lot of treatment and spent a week at the vet's and he still needs to be taken in for check-ups. He is getting better now and we are hopeful he will make a complete recovery.
"We don't know what happened to him. Maybe he went into someone's garden and they shot him. Whoever did this must be sick - it's unbelievable they would do this to an animal."
It is the second time Pepsi has been injured by a crossbow bolt - about three months ago he needed treatment after he returned home with a shaft embedded in his neck. The blue plastic bolt was identical in appearance in both attacks.
Mrs Matthews added: "A couple of months ago he came back with an arrow in the top of his neck and we took him straight to the vet's. It has happened twice now and we are worried it will happen again. I hope the RSPCA can help catch whoever did this so it doesn't happen again."
Inspector Johnson said: "This cat has been hit twice now in similar circumstances - that can't be an accident. It's completely unacceptable.
"I will do everything I can to try to find whoever is responsible. In order to do that, I need information from members of the public. If anyone knows who is responsible please call the RSPCA's Cruelty Line on 0870 5555 999. All calls will be treated in confidence."
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Monday 23 April to Sunday 29 April is RSPCA Week - get involved and help
animals in your local area. Visit http://www.rspcaweek.org.uk to find out more.
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