RSPCA warning after Liverpool cat shot five times with air gun
There's been a spike in the number of cats being targeted with weapons
Cat owners across Merseyside and Cheshire are being urged to be extra vigilant… as new data reveals a spike in the number of pets being attacked with weapons.
There was a 30% increase in reported air gun attacks on cats in England and Wales last year - with 70 incidents reported to the RSPCA compared to 54 in 2023.
The charity’s data also reveals that Merseyside generated amongst the highest number of incidents relating to animals attacked by air guns, catapults or crossbows, with 12 reports received between 2022 and 2024.
Pam Slater's cat Ronnie was found screaming in pain after being shot five times with an air gun in June.
Pam said:
"We assumed he had been hit by a car, so rushed him to the vet. But shockingly, an X-ray revealed he had been shot. There were five air gun pellets in his body - four in his left back leg and one in his torso.
"Over the next few days it was touch and go for Ronnie. Firstly, he was given pain relief and antibiotics; the vets didn’t want to immediately remove the pellets as they were concerned this would cause him more stress.
"Worryingly, after the third day, he was going downhill, with tests showing that he had extensive inflammation and an infection but luckily no sepsis. He was given stronger antibiotics and we kept a close eye on him."
Eventually, Ronnie turned the corner and, 12 days after he was shot, the pellets were removed.
He is now back home and enjoying life again with his brother Reggie.
Pam added:
"How could someone do this to a poor, defenseless animal?
"We have been told these attacks are on the rise, and it is horrible to think that there are people out there deliberately targeting pets and wildlife. It’s got to be stopped. We don’t want other people going through what we went through.
"Ronnie is very lucky to be alive, but it could have been a very different story. We urge people to report any suspicious activity relating to air guns and other weapons like catapults to the police."
The RSPCA is concerned that the upward trend of attacks is continuing this year - it has launched a 'Summer Cruelty Appeal’ to raise money to go towards helping animals experiencing cruelty - including victims of weapons attacks.