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Cornwall cat survives broken legs and shotgun blasts | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A cat suffered two broken legs and had been blasted at least twice with a shotgun, a veterinary practice in Cornwall says. | |
The six-year-old black tomcat, called Target by surgery staff, was brought to Hayle Veterinary Surgery in March after being found injured and unable to walk. | The six-year-old black tomcat, called Target by surgery staff, was brought to Hayle Veterinary Surgery in March after being found injured and unable to walk. |
He had two fractured femurs and X-rays showed more than 40 pellets in the head and face and across the body. | |
He has been found a new home after undergoing treatment and convalescence. | |
Staff said the cat was "still purring and craving attention" when originally brought to the surgery in March "despite the horrendous injuries" caused by metal pellets. | Staff said the cat was "still purring and craving attention" when originally brought to the surgery in March "despite the horrendous injuries" caused by metal pellets. |
Practice partner Steve Wyatt said: "When he arrived, we could only see he had two broken back legs and what we thought were other superficial injuries under his fur. Further examination revealed the pellets." | |
Mr Wyatt said Target must have been at the edge of the weapon's effective range when shot because the pellets did not penetrate enough to damage vital organs. | |
He said: "We don't know what the circumstances, but clearly something horrible happened and on one than more occasion. | |
"There were at least two shots because they were injuries on both sides." | |
Of 43 or 44 pellets found, Mr Wyatt said he was "only able to remove eight or nine". | |
He said: "We did try our best to get them out, but getting them all surgically would be such a long task. But he's a happy cat now. | |
"He was the kind of cat you saw wanted to get better and he was a cat that needed be saved." | |
No owner could be found so he went to live temporarily with Mr Wyatt and his family for recovery and rehabilitation. | |
The practice said it had now found him a suitable home. |