Help please - sons cat been shot twice in last week...

chomsky_2

awwww the poor cat, I was so upset reading this, I cant believe someone would do this. I bet your son doesn't want to let his moggy out of his sight! I would phone the RSPCA to see if they can help, i'm sure they would have advice or info.

Also I would phone the the police or 101, as other posters have pointed out it could be a child next time.

Hope the cat gets better soon!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

i agree with above posters! but to say a pellet gun is a firearm your mistaken its not and is classed under a different law to firearms!

airrifles do not require a licence under 12lb pressure,
Firearms have different amunition different lbs pressure above 12 and rerquire a licence.

airrifles have age restrictions to that of:

you must be of 14yrs old to fire one with a responsable adult over the age of 21.

you have to be 18 yrs old to pruchase one with photo ID.

under no curmstances shall the airifle be transported covered in a slip bag or not in the streets, for transportation you must use a vehicle to have it repaired, filled, serviced, anyone in breach of this rule can have their airrifle taken from them covered or not!

not to shoot near houses,bridal paths, lanes, carriage ways, conservation areas,national parks etc to the distance of 250 meters.

because the law see's airrifles differently to firearms there would be a hard job getting them interested in coming out unless the perp' was identified and whitnessed having this in his possesion. then will only rofl harris and his team come out with a film crew coupled with an RSPCA inspector.

so no its not a firearms offence! sorry!

It is defined as a firearm in the relevant laws.

Not being the one taking potshots at the animal, it is impossible to state that the power is lower than 12lbs or than it is lower than 6lbs for pistols. It is therefore quite possible that it is legally a firearm in all senses of the word.

They still kill. It is still a weapon. It is still illegal and the police do take it seriously. The little sh t who took potshots at me talking to a work colleague from his bedroom window a few years after the previous incident I referred to soon found out what the police thought of it - they were specifically told it was an air rifle.

Full firearms police descended upon him. No RSPCA required to take it seriously.

Sorry!

meritaten

Thank you Jojo, but I dont know where you live, but around here I am afraid my son may be right, the police would see it as trivial. I still think he should report it though! and go round the estate warning cat owners! as someone suggested! will go back and thank them! I am more worried there is going to be a horrible accident or there is a psycopath in the making on the estate. as far as we know his cat is the only one who has been shot. I am going to phone local vets in the morning and ask if other pets have been brought in with similar wounds.
seems like I am going to spend tomorrow on the phone - but if it gets results its worth it.

msfoxymax

I would just call the police anyway whether your son wants to or not. After all it's only a phone call .........................

Gingham_Ribbon

I had the same problem and it's really very upsetting.

The police took it seriously in our case and, although there was not enough proof to do anything at that time, they did say that all we needed was to see him hanging out of his window and we should call 999, whether or not we saw the gun. I said this within his hearing and I've not even seen his window open since. We'd seen him with the gun pointing out of the window, as had a neighbour, but I thought it was a toy. :mad:

When you call, ask for a crime number and ask when someone will be coming out to take a statement. And the RSPCA should be able to help advise you. They'll also have a ref no to give you incase there are further issues.

Re your poor little cat, I bought a feliway to deal with the trauma that followed (spraying in the house, weight loss etc.) It worked a treat and a few months after getting it, I let it run out with no further problems (after a year of problems.)

Wickedkitten

I would definitely keep the cat indoors for the time being and phone the police. Poor poor moggie.

SnowyOwl_2

Unfortunately animals and birds make "great" target practice for these idiots. I too would encourage you to inform the Police. You have the physical evidence that a shot was fired so it's not like your son is being malicious. Don't let the idiot think he can get away with this otherwise he will end up in control. The next pellet could enter an animal's eye, or hit a pedestrian in the face. Even if the Police just make a note of the incident it could become essential damning evidence in the future if there is a more severely injured victim.

cyberbob

meritaten wrote: »

Thank you Jojo, but I dont know where you live, but around here I am afraid my son may be right, the police would see it as trivial. I still think he should report it though! and go round the estate warning cat owners! as someone suggested! will go back and thank them! I am more worried there is going to be a horrible accident or there is a psycopath in the making on the estate. as far as we know his cat is the only one who has been shot. I am going to phone local vets in the morning and ask if other pets have been brought in with similar wounds.
seems like I am going to spend tomorrow on the phone - but if it gets results its worth it.

Just phone the police

Petite85

I'd phone the police will only take 10 minutes

meritaten

quick update

son went over the police station this morning, sadly the desk officer wasnt at all interested and insisted no offence had taken place and they could do nothing as there was no evidence or witnesses. son pointed out that children also play across the road in the field and it could easily be one of them in future. the officers response was that they would deal with it if it happens. amazingly son kept his cool and asked that the visit be logged and he be given a crime number. which the officer did (grudgingly - but he did it).
I phoned the RSPCA and had a similar response - nothing they can do unless the perpetrator is found and charged.
the local vets receptionists couldnt tell me if any other animals had been brought in with pellet wounds but they all offered to warn clients who live in the vicinity. all expressed concern, which is more than the police and RSPCA did!
Son is going to contact other cat owners on the site to warn them and ask them to keep an eye on the property which we have worked out to be the most likely the shots came from.