to ask if it's actually illegal to shoot someone's cat

[blackcats73]

Obviously it's wrong, cruel and disgusting. However,a friend's cat has been shot with an air gun. It cost the family five hundred pounds to fix and the cat may be partially paralysed in the face. Apparently the people suspected of the shooting bragged that they'll shot any cat in their garden.

The police aren't interested apparently, so they're calling the rspca. Are the police correct? Is there no crime committed or should they nag then to take it seriously.

Bastards.

Can you gather any evidence of them bragging and then take them to the small claims court for the cost of the vet's bills? I'd bet they'd think twice before shooting an animal again if it hit them in the pocket. Only language people like this understand sometimes....

www.pellpax.co.uk/acatalog/UKAirgunLaws.html

Here is your Air Gun Law - Northern Ireland notwithstanding.

Yes it is illegal.
Quite apart from any issues surrounding the use / misuse of firearms or airguns or animal cruelty it is pure and simple destruction of property as the cat is legally deemed to be 'property'.

The charge would be exactly the same as if someone came and smashed up your car or broke your windows.

Someone shot my cat last friday. In the local park between 12pm and 3pm. Police not the slightest bit interested. :(

He usually stays in our back garden as he is disabled, but my neighbour accidentally let him out and he shot across to the park opposite.

You have to be a special sort of a sick fuck to shoot a 3 legged cat surely?

Keith - that is awful, I am so sorry.
How is he? Did he survive?

hazel Yes, he survived. Unfortunately we were away at the weekend, neighbour was feeding him and letting him in and out but didn't notice as he hobbles at the best of times.

I noticed Monday when we got back that he had a big lump and assumed it was a cyst so planned to take him to the vet tuesday. Unfortunately he bit the lump in the night, which was pretty messy, but assumed it was an abcess, as did the vet until they flushed it and found the fragmented pellet. :(

He was under anaesthetic for a few hours yesterday, and now has stitches and two big holes for the wound to drain. He is feeling very sorry for himself but it will heal. Luckily no permanent damage but it was very lucky - they missed his spine by about half an inch! Evil fuckers.

REairguns , common to buy a "legal low powered one " then buy a very much more powerful spring and fit that .Anyone shot my cat ,my fella would seriously physically. re arrange them.

Bloody Hell, Keith that is horrid. very glad he's 'ok'.
You have got to be a rare grade of cunt to shoot a 3-legged cat, surely?

I hope karma catches up with the bastards very soon.

You'd think so wouldn't you?

If I knew who it was I would re-arrange them myself. It must be someone overlooking the park, as we do, as he wouldn't have been able to get very far. Apparently my cat isn't the first...lets hope it isn't a child next time! :(