Ginger who hails from Belgravia Estate near Athlone is like most cats adventurous. He used to love exploring the outdoors before coming inside for a bite to eat, something to drink and then settling down on his owners lap for a nap.
A few weeks ago, Ginger crossed paths with a group of young children estimated to be between the ages of 12 and 13 years of age allegedly armed with a powerful pellet gun and a pocket full of copper tipped pellets.
They had allegedly been terrorising the neighbourhood for some time, but how was Ginger to know that he would be their next victim. The children allegedly mercilessly shot Ginger twice. The first shot incapacitated him. That gave them time to reload, take aim and fire again.
The second shot ricocheted off his femur bone snapping it in two. A terrified and gravely injured Ginger took flight for the safety of his home. He immediately sought the security of his owner who looked disbelievingly down at Ginger’s broken and bloodied body.
It didn’t take him long to conclude that Ginger has been shot multiple times and he promptly sought the Animal Welfare Society’s help. “Ginger was successfully operated on and we managed to extract the two pellets still deeply embedded in his leg but he is not the same happy-go-lucky cat that he used to be”, says the Animal Welfare Society.
Ginger sadly no longer explores his backyard (where he was shot). He prefers to remain close to home in the front garden where he feels safe whilst his tormentors walk free boasting about their kill shots that have left who knows how many innocent animals dead or maimed.
“Pellet guns are weapons. They are not toys and in the wrong hands cause untold harm and suffering. In our opinion, they are so destructive that they should be banned.”
Ginger’s owner is busy gathering evidence. It is a painstaking process but he is making good headway and is adamant that these youths responsible for the senseless shooting of Ginger must be held to account.
He has established that Ginger is not their first and only victim. He strongly suspects that they have been taking potshots at several innocent passers-by as well as other animals almost crippling another cat who was shot in the spine.
“We will stand behind him in his pursuit for justice for Ginger and all the other unsuspecting victims of their malice and help ensure that they are apprehended before they get the opportunity to set their sights on people”, concludes the Animal Welfare Society.
Picture/s: Supplied