Cat shot - leg amputated

SHOT!: Miss Pickles recovers in the sun after having her left rear leg amputated.

The Cornwall family couldn't believe their eyes when they saw their beloved pet cat cross the back porch of their Tobie Place home and come in through the cat flap, dragging her left back leg behind her.

That was on Sunday July 19. Sarah Cornwall said the family were amazed that Miss Pickles seemed to feel no pain.

"She jumped up on the bed and when we stroked her she was purring. There was no blood, no wound-she seemed unaware that anything was wrong."

Thinking their much-loved pet might have been hit by a car, Sarah rushed the cat to the Whangamata Veterinary Clinic.

After x-raying poor Miss Pickles, vet James Wickham rang Sarah and said the cat had been shot with a .22 rifle.

"We were totally shocked. We live in a built up area and we know Pickles doesn't wander. It's not a nice feeling knowing there's someone nearby letting off a rifle," Sarah said.

"Her femur had been totally shattered and there was no way it could be fixed so James had to amputate the leg."

She also expressed gratitude to the many people of Whangamata who donated money toward the $900 cost of the operation. "What a great community we have," she said.

Miss Pickles continues to heal and her stitches are due to be removed this week.

Police are keen to hear from anyone with information about people shooting in the area of Tobie Place.
Phone them on 865 030