A Shocking Act of Cruelty: When a Cat Is Shot with an Air Rifle
The idea of deliberately inflicting cruelty upon an animal is something that would be unthinkable to most people. And yet, as distressing as the very idea might be, it does happen. Some acts of cruelty can almost seem to be opportunistic -- as though the abuser encountered the animal by chance and made a spur of the moment decision with awful consequences for the poor animal. Cats have a tendency to wander, and while they might not necessarily be welcome in all the backyards of your neighbourhood, there is no justification for brutal violence. Though it's not a common occurrence, it has been known for cats to be shot with an air rifle -- presumably as someone's twisted idea of fun. Regardless of whether it's your own cat or not, would you know what to do if you encountered a feline that had been mistreated in such a way?
Looking for Injuries
Sometimes the injuries will be immediately evident, although this is not always the case. It might be that the cat is in obvious distress, with noticeable wounds where the pellets have penetrated their skin -- with wounds that might be bleeding. In other instances, the pellet might have only grazed their skin, leading to an abrasion and the potential for difficulty and accompanying distress when the cat attempts to walk. In any event, the cat needs to be transported to your nearest vet clinic with urgency.
Protecting Yourself
In preparing the cat for transport, you need to exercise sufficient caution -- even when it's your own cat. The potential seriousness of a cat bite cannot be underestimated and can have serious implications if untreated. A distressed cat can easily lash out, biting and scratching. Protect yourself as well as the cat. Place a blanket, towel or jacket over the cat before you pick it up. This prevents them from injuring you, and can partially immobilise them so that they don't injure themselves any further. You can place the cat into a travel crate or cardboard box while your transport them to the vet.
Treatment
The vet will take the necessary action, which could end up saving the cat's life. The best treatment will obviously depend on the severity of the injuries -- which can be based upon the number of pellets, and whether they have punctured any internal organs. There is also a risk of infection, so antibiotics will also be administered. Since such an occurrence is a deliberate act of animal cruelty, you might wish to inform the police and your local branch of the RSPCA while the cat is receiving treatment.
Thought it might be shocking, there are people out there who actually take pleasure in using a defenseless cat for target practice. With quick action, you can hopefully ensure that the cat survives this act of wanton cruelty.