The owners of a pet cat that was shot by an air rifle are urging others to speak up about animal cruelty so perpetrators can be brought to justice.
Warning: This article contains footage some readers may find distressing.
Queensland couple Cooper Morgenstern and Mikaela Colquhoun were shocked to discover their beloved tabby cat Sir Puddin' Stacks had been shot in the chest after going missing two weeks ago.
He was taken to the vet with a leg injury after returning to his home at Woodford on the Sunshine Coast.
X-rays revealed a bullet lodged under his skin that had narrowly missed vital organs.
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After surgery to remove the lead pellet, Sir Puddin' Stacks is recovering at home.
Veterinarian Roelof van der Merwe said the three-year-old cat was “very, very lucky” to survive “because there's not much that protects the heart and the chest from a straight frontal attack”.
Dr van der Merwe said it was a disappointing and inappropriate use of a firearm.
“There's no doubt that cats do prey on native wildlife …. but there are ways to manage that problem.
“I don't think shooting at any animal is a solution.”
Owners baffled
Mr Morgenstern and Ms Colquhoun were wondering why anyone would want to hurt their pet.
They have reported the incident to the RSPCA, and encouraged others to report similar incidents for the best chance of identifying perpetrators.
“There are people out there that aren't as kind as we would like them to be and are willing to do some pretty heinous things to your pets,” Mr Morgenstern said.
“All we can do is put a warning out to other pet owners that — especially around Woodford — there is somebody here that's willing to do that.
“We made a lot of [social media] posts to let everybody know that there's been someone shooting at cats.
“And we've had a lot of support from the community.”
Cruelty penalties
In Queensland, the maximum penalty for animal cruelty is a fine of more $300,000 or three years' imprisonment.
RSPCA Queensland spokeswoman Emma Lagoon said reporting incidents of domestic animals or wildlife being shot or injured could lead to offenders being prosecuted, as well as help identify any particular patterns.
“We would also like to encourage cat owners to keep their pets and our native wildlife safe by housing their pets securely on their property and not allowing them to roam and become potential targets to would-be opportunists or disgruntled neighbours,” Ms Lagoon said.
“Unfortunately when cats roam, or escape and become lost, they can come to harm in many ways by getting into fights with other animals, disease, and getting hit by cars as well.”
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