Cat lovers urged to back air rifle campaign after two attacks in Rochdale

Macy underwent an operation but her eye couldn't be saved.

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After two recent air gun attacks on cats in the Rochdale borough, owners and vets are urging cat lovers to back the Cats Protection campaign to change the law on air guns in England and Wales.

Both Northern Ireland and Scotland already have air gun licencing laws in place, and the charity has now launched an online petition to urge the government to bring in regulation across the rest of the UK.

Amanda Stephens has been campaigning after her cat, Casper, was shot on 28 May after going out near Queen’s Park Road in Heywood. 

She explained: “He returned after around fifteen minutes with a puncture wound. There was no sign he’d been shot and I thought he’d been in a fight. A lump came up which was the pellet working its way out. He had surgery to remove it: he was very lucky. The pellet was actually damaged from where it hit his skull.

“Since he was attacked, Casper is jumpier and it is upsetting as he has special needs. I think it was an opportunist walking past.

"As it is, anyone can get hold of them [air rifles].

"So many people have come forward in response about their cats suffering similar attacks. The number of attacks in Northern Ireland dropped dramatically after the law was introduced

“To know someone is doing this to animals with intent is sickening.

"I feel really strongly about this; something needs to be done because these guns are getting into the wrong hands. Children have also been injured by these air rifles too.”

Macy, a one-year-old black-and-white rescue cat from Newhey, wasn’t as lucky as Casper and lost her right eye. Adopted just three weeks ago, Macy had only recently settled in at her new home before she was attacked.

Amy Day, practice owner and veterinarian at Vets4Pets Rochdale, said: “To have two cases recently is unusual. It’s worrying and we hope it’s not part of a trend.

“Macy was brought in by her owner’s neighbours when they found her. We were able to trace her owners as she was microchipped and wore a collar.

“At first, we were worried she had been in a car accident and concerned she had other injuries. Luckily, everything else seemed to be fine. Her nails weren’t scuffed like we’d expect as sometimes they get frayed as they try to cling onto the road’s surface.

“We were concerned she might have internal injuries and sent her for x-rays, which came back showing this pellet in her eye, which unfortunately, we couldn’t save. She’s very resilient and was eating well after.”

Dr Alex Schofield, who carried out Macy’s operation, explained: “It was quite a tricky operation as Macy was so badly injured. We removed her eyeball and stopped the bleeding before removing her third eyelid, tear glands and eyelid margins. The healthy tissue was then stitched together. It took about an hour in total.

“Generally, cats are fine after this operation, although I’ve only done one on Macy. It went as well as it could do and she was the most trusting cat after, it was so nice to see her purring.”

She added: “Hopefully, I’ll never have to do one again.”

Following a post-operative check, she confirmed Macy is well on her way to recovery and will have a final check-up on 4 August.

Dr Schofield commented: “Macy is doing extremely well and was giving everyone headbutts and lots of love. She’s a little fighter and her owner is so proud of her. Her trust in people is incredible; she couldn’t wait to get out of her box. I’m really happy with her.”

Cats Protection says a lack of UK-wide regulation means 90% of air gun attacks on cats happens in England and Wales, with a reported 202 cats in the UK shot with an air gun in 2016.

In 2004, Northern Ireland led the way in restricting gun ownership with anyone who buys, owns or uses an air weapon there now required to have a licence. During this time, Northern Ireland has experienced the lowest incidence of shootings reported in the press compared to other parts of the UK, suggesting the licensing legislation is working.

Scotland adopted similar legislation earlier in 2017.

Cats Protection’s Advocacy Manager Jacqui Cuff said: “Cats and other animals in England and Wales are hugely vulnerable to being the victim of an air gun attack because there is nothing to stop air guns falling into the wrong hands.

“The reality of an air gun attack on a cat is horrific, and around half die as a result of their injuries. Those that survive will endure considerable suffering and may be left with life-long disabilities. Owners can face a great deal of upset and huge vet bills and whole communities can be left deeply worried about attacks of this kind in their neighbourhood.

“Scotland and Northern Ireland have already taken action to address this, having brought in the strict regulations to regulate who can own such deadly weapons. Cats Protection believes it’s time the rest of the UK caught up and cat owners and communities in England and Wales can be afforded with the same peace of mind.”

To sign the petition, visit:

www.cats.org.uk/airgunspetition