Cruel air rifle attack kills kitten and leaves family heartbroken ...
20 November 2015
In the middle of November, branch volunteers heard some very sad news – that a gorgeous white-and-tabby kitten, George – one of a pair homed in the summer - had died as a result of an air rifle attack. It was close range, and he was probably shot in his own garden in Erdington.
This was and will continue to be absolutely heartbreaking for George's 'parents', Rachel and Richard, his brother Oscar, everyone involved in rescuing and rehoming him – and cat lovers everywhere. The devastated couple sent this e-mail to Branch volunteer, Sheila Pennell, to break the news:-
“We just wanted to let you know that sadly, George was shot by an air rifle yesterday. Despite the vet trying to operate the damage was too bad and he has had to be put down. We are devastated and really shocked that someone would do this. We will need some time to recover from this but after we have come to terms with his passing we would like to talk to you about how we can publicise what happened via Cats Protection and prevent it happening again.”
George (top left) and Oscar were 'always together' - sadly no longer. Rachel and Richard Bourne of Erdington are pictured with Oscar after their devastating loss of George - shot and fatally wounded on the 11 November. (photograph courtesy of the Birmingham Mail).
So Sheila contacted the press, and below is the link to how it was reported in the Birmingham Mail.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/erdington-couples-heartbreak-kitten-shot-10453905.
The story was covered by local radio and the Sutton Observer too. On the Branch Facebook page, the sad news brought forth hundreds of posts – people so angry about what had happened to George and an outpouring of sympathy for those left so sad and bereft without him. And that includes all the volunteers and supporters of Cats Protection, especially those involved in nurturing George from a tiny abandoned kitten and then finding him a perfect home with Rachel and Richard that was meant to be for 20 years, not just one fleeting summer.
Says Rachel: "I am so touched to hear people have commented on the face book post, and thank them all. We are horrified that someone could inflict this level of cruelty on an animal and are distraught that our family pet has been taken from us this way at such a young age, leaving his brother alone. It is heart-breaking.
“I am making flyers and posters to go around the Erdington area and the RSPCA are doing a press release. The local police have also been in touch and are taking the matter seriously – we have an officer assigned to us. Thanks to Sheila for talking things through with us. We really appreciate all the CP support and hope something good can come out if this horrible event by making others aware of the dangers.”
Newly-elected Branch coordinator, Denise Atkins, sums up volunteer outrage: "We're appalled that this has happened to poor little George. We all know that we take risks when letting our cats outside but I know none of us would imagine this happening to our beloved cats. All our sympathies are with Rachel, Richard and Oscar at this dreadful time, and we hope the perpetrators are caught before any more animals are harmed."