Owners hit out after cat has leg amputated in ‘sick’ airgun attack

this destroys your faith in human nature, says north-east couple

By John Thomson

Published:

The owners of a cat which was shot with an airgun and had to have a leg amputated have said the person responsible was sick.

Willow, a two-and-a-half-year-old black and white cat, was recovering yesterday after surgery to remove its front left leg.

The animal’s elbow joint had been shattered by an airgun pellet and vets decided the leg could not be repaired.

Willow’s owners Alistair Minty and his wife, Shona, of Macduff, spoke yesterday of their anger and distress at the suffering caused to their pet.

Mrs Minty, 53, said: “I think this is a very sick thing to do.

“I wouldn’t even call the person who did this an animal and it destroys your faith in human nature.

“If Willow had been run down, then that’s her own fault, but for some mindless muppet to shoot her is horrendous.”

Police are investigating the incident which happened at about noon on Saturday at the Minty home at Paterson Street.

Willow was in the garden and was found later in an injured and distressed condition in a sunhouse.

Mr Minty, 61, said: “Her front leg was just swinging and she was screaming and we thought she had been run down.”

After the cat was examined by a vet, however, it emerged that the animal had been shot.

Mr and Mrs Minty believe Willow was either in the garden or on the garden walls when the injury occurred.

Mrs Minty said: “Even if it was an accident, nobody should be using an airgun in a built-up area.”

Willow underwent surgery yesterday morning at the Bellevue Veterinary Group, Banff, and X-rays showed the air-gun pellet still in the animal’s leg.

Vet Christine Hendry said: “She should be able to function with three legs, and her remaining front leg will strengthen to take account of the loss.”

Mrs and Mrs Minty were reunited with their pet after the operation, and Mr Minty said he thought the recovered air pellet was .22 calibre.

Willow was found as a feral kitten in Aberdeen and Mrs Minty, who formerly worked as a veterinary receptionist in the city, kept the animal after it formed a bond with Ziggy, the couple’s German shepherd dog-cross golden labrador.

She said: “I’m sure Willow will have the fortitude to survive this but the whole thing makes me angry.

“What would have happened if my granddaughter had been in the garden and had been hit?”

A police spokesman said: “We are keen to trace anyone in the vicinity who witnessed the incident.” Anyone who has information should call police on 0845 600 5700 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.