A family have been left 'devastated' after their pet cat suffered life-threatening injuries after being shot with an air rifle. Marley, a rescue cat aged 10, had left his home in Dodwell Lane, Hedge End, at around 11am on Tuesday. But an hour later, he was found by his owners "slumped" on steps near the house, struggling to get back up.
He was rushed to the vets where he underwent emergency surgery, and an air rifle pellet was removed. Now his family have been left having to foot most of the £3,000 vet bill and are scared to let their other cat out of the house for fear of it happening again. Owner, Helen Fox lives with her husband and children at the house, near Bursledon Road.
The 57-year-old yoga teacher said she just wants to stop this from happening to any other animal. "I just want to burst into tears. I’ve been up all night, I haven’t slept because they didn’t know he was going to get through the night.
"It’s just the most beautiful pet. What was going through this crazy mind? "We’re obviously just beside ourselves. It’s not monetary at all also but this is going to cost us thousands of pounds.
"You’re living just with your cat and the next minute they’re nearly dying and we’ve got huge bills. We’re devastated." The pellet that was removed after Marley was shot with an air rifle (Image: Helen Fox) The family have reported the incident to the police but are yet to hear back.
Helen has also posted on the Nextdoor App in an effort to bring attention to the incident to warn others in the area. "The amount of people that have come forward to say ‘Oh my god it’s horrendous’. "I’ve got another cat and I just fear letting my other cat out.
"There's kids around. It’s just not what you want on your street. "We have lots of cats around here so it’s just really not a nice thing to have happened at all.
"We’re going to put some leaflets out so that whoever it is knows that there is a police investigation. "The more publicity it is to stop them doing it to other animals, that’s the main thing we want to get out there, to prompt whoever it is to think this is serious. You can’t be just firing an air rifle.
" Marley suffered a bruised pancreas in the incident, though the pellet missed his vital organs, but this injury could still be life-threatening if it becomes inflamed. Helen, who has owned him since he was a kitten, said: "He's not out of the woods yet." The family have been told their insurance will cover just £1,000 of the £3,000 vet bill.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson told the Echo: "We have received a report of a cat being injured by a pellet on Dodwell Lane, Bursledon between 5pm and 6pm yesterday (Tuesday 13 August). “Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any other information regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident, should call 101 and quote incident number 44240346773. “Alternatively, information can be shared with us via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website.
“You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”.
