Kids from a Havelock North pre-school have been taught a stark lesson in animal cruelty after their cat was found shot. Sassy, a much-loved feline resident of The Nest pre-school, survived the ordeal yet needed surgery to remove eight of a total of 13 pellets shown on X-ray. Teacher Kimberly Crisp saidthe sickening act had upset the children, who were now paying Sassy extra attention as she recovered back home at the pre-school. ``We heard her crying and limping on Tuesday, and when we finally caught her we took her in and were given the sad news from the vet,'' Mrs Crisp said. The 2-year-old moggy had called the centre home for the past year. ``We told the kids all about it; we think it's important for them to know. They're now being very gentle with her, and have the X-ray up in the window to have a look at. ``She was wearing a pink collar so I doubt she could ever have been mistaken for a wild cat.'' AnimalCare co-owner Nicky Chadwick, whose colleague Glenn MacKay performed the surgery, said it was unknown whether the pellets were from a shotgun or BB-gun. ``The other unknown is whether they're lead pellets, which could pose their own threat in terms of poisoning,'' she said. ``Many were found just under the skin. Sometimes if they're deep into the muscle tissue it's better to just leave them there to avoid further trauma.'' Such acts of cruelty were disturbing on many levels, she said. ``Not only does it cause animals unnecessary suffering, but research has shown that people who are willing to torture animals go on to act cruelly towards humans.'' Ms Chadwick, whose cat had to be euthanased after being shot in Havelock North in 2006, said her clinic had seen about 10 similar cases last year. A cruelty-to-animals charge carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment or a $50,000 fine.
