Warning to cat owners after pet is shot in Chatteris

Police are appealing for help to catch the heartless person who shot a family cat in Chatteris.

The Godden family, who live in the Huntingdon Road area of the town, only discovered that tabby Nala had been shot when she visited the vets on Monday for her regular jabs.

The vet discovered a lump while giving her a general check-up, which raised concerns.

It resulted in Nala being kept in for further checks, including x-rays, which showed an air gun pellet lodged just below the skin.

As a result Nala had to be sedated so the pellet could be removed – landing the Goddens with a £1,600 vet bill.

Mark Godden said: “We're extremely upset and disappointed that someone has felt the need to shoot at her.

“We get that not everyone likes cats and they can be a pain; however, shooting at a defenceless animal isn't right.

“We're just glad that the pellet was only lodged within the flesh and didn't cause any damage to any major internal organs, given her size and how small she is, it really is surprising.

“Nala seems to be doing well this morning, quite rightly, she does seem to be feeling very sorry for herself, which isn't a surprise given what she's been through in the past 24 hours.

“We're unsure when she was actually shot, we've not noticed a change in behaviour recently, she has been her usual self, going out as usual, climbing up the fences and jumping around the garden.

“Nothing in her behaviour suggested she had been injured in the way she had been. Nala is a very gentle and loving cat and loves being around our two children, who are very upset by what has happened.

“Our youngest who is seven keeps asking why someone would want to harm Nala, she doesn't understand why someone would want to hurt her the way they have.”

Mark who posted about the incident to the town’s Facebook page said he wanted to warn other cat owners that someone is shooting at them with an air gun.

He has reported the incident to police and officers are appealing for help in tracing the perpetrators.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 or by reporting it online quoting reference: 35/19128/25.