Airgun thugs are terrorising Walsall cats
One cat has died and three left badly injured in a spate of air rifle attacks in Walsall, prompting a veterinary practice to warn pet owners to be on their guard.
Shelfield-based Vets4Pets said four cats had been taken to the surgery suffering gun wounds over the past month in Walsall Wood and Aldridge.
One of the animals suffered a broken pelvis, while another two had broken legs. A fourth had to be put down after being shot through the chest.
The three injured cats were given treatment and are now recovering. West Midlands Police said it was looking into the shootings.
Practice owner, doctor Sally Potter, said: "It looks as though someone is going around and shooting these cats. It's all similar types of airgun pellets, which are being used. We have reported the incidents to police."
The 34-year-old, who said it was the first time the surgery had dealt with the attacks since opening five years ago, said: "The first came in during the middle of April and is from the Oak Road area.
"She had a broken leg, which required an operation, and is recovering at home."
The second cat was brought to the vets from Greenwood Road, Aldridge, at the beginning of the month.
Dr Potter said: "He had a fractured pelvis. The pellet was lodged in his knee."
Another male cat was treated after being brought into the surgery with a broken leg by an RSPCA officer and a fourth cat, who came from the Occupation Road area, was brought in last week, but had to be put down due to the severity of his injuries.
Dr Potter said: "He was very poorly after being shot in the chest. He had suffered a huge amount of trauma."
RSPCA spokeswoman Harriet Cawley said the charity had received eight airgun complaints regarding cats in the West Midlands last year, but six complaints have already been lodged this year.
Nationally last year the RSPCA received 89 calls about the issue and 48 have been received this year so far.
She said: "The injuries caused by such attacks are horrific and often fatal.
"These attacks can be deliberate by people who just don't care about hurting animals or are deliberately targeting animals because they consider them a nuisance."
West Midlands Police said officers were deciding whether to launch an investigation.
