Cats reportedly shot with airgun pellets in Surrey
An animal charity is investigating after vets said two cats from the same home were shot with airgun pellets.
The RSPCA said it was looking into the incident, with pet owner Caroline Wales saying her two cats had been shot in Chessington.
Ms Wales’s cats, Gnocchi and Murphy, were believed to have been shot with airguns in May and October, respectively.
She said vets found a pellet embedded in Gnocchi’s stomach during a check up in May, before Murphy came home with an injured eye on October 29.
Thinking he had been in a fight, Ms Wales took Murphy to the vet who x-rayed him and found a pellet embedded in his skull, believed to have gone in from some height and distance away from him.
She said she hoped her pet would recover his sight but was currently blind in that eye.
Gnocchi has made a full recovery since his injury.
Ms Wales added: “We can’t believe this has happened twice. “
It comes as residents have raised concerns about a group of teenagers “trapping cats” for their dogs to “rip apart”.
A petition calling for an end to animal cruelty, started by a cat owner who claimed her beloved pet was killed, has now been signed by more than 5,000 people.
A Surrey Police spokesperson previously confirmed to the LDRS there had been two reports of incidents involving cats being taunted or harmed by a group of boys around Surbiton Golf Club.
PC Sanjar Najibi has been out in the area with Surrey Police rural crime officers following concerns being raised about animals being targeted.
He told the LDRS he would encourage people to send in any video or CCTV capturing such behaviour to the local neighbourhood team so it could be reviewed.
Calling for residents who saw anything suspicious, such as a cat running and followed by a van or truck, to report it, PC Najibi also said if people were able and safe to do so they should record any incidents.
But he said there was still work to do to get substantial evidence, such as times and locations of attacks, and wanted to reassure pet owners in the meantime.
He added: “At this moment in time, until we have confirmed it’s these people, or this area, I don’t believe anyone should be too concerned.”
Anyone who witnesses cruelty towards any animal should get in touch with Surrey Police quoting PR/45230118653.
Rob Jackson, RSPCA chief inspector for Surrey, said: “It’s really cruel that two cats have been targeted in this way in separate incidents.
“It’s possible more cats have been injured by pellets and their owners may not even realise.”
The charity has had reports of more than 620 incidents involving animals being targeted with airguns between 2020 and June 2023.
Mr Jackson added: “Sadly, the targeting of wild and domestic animals in this way isn’t uncommon.
“RSPCA officers see incidents throughout the year involving cats, geese, swans and gulls who have been horribly maimed or killed outright in airgun attacks.”
He said there were likely to be more cases since some would not be reported to the charity, and some wild animals would never be found after such an attack.
The RSPCA is asking anyone with information about the cat shooting to contact its appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference number 01179360.
The charity is also calling for stricter regulations around owning an airgun in England and Wales, saying better education, training and explanation of the law could “help protect countless animals from such attacks in the future”.