Animal shelter warns of cats in Cork being shot with pellet guns

A COUPLE was left horrified after returning home to find their two cats had been paralysed following suspected foul play.

Pauline O'Mahony from the animal charity Pauline's Rescue, issued a warning to pet owners in the Castlemagner area after a husband and wife arrived home to find their cats were no longer unable to walk.

A visit to the vet revealed that both cats had been shot with a pellet gun.

Pauline said that the disturbing news has left people wondering what kind of a person would do this.

"The couple came home after being at an event and were puzzled as to why their cats were no longer to walk. At first, they assumed the cats had been run over by a car. However, one of the cats never left the yard so they knew this was highly unlikely."

"When the cats were brought to the vet there were pellets discovered in their bodies. We have no idea what kind of a person would be capable of something like this. It's strange to think that someone would even own a pellet gun."

Sadly, it is now believed that only one of the cats will survive.

"One of the cats was shot in the kidney and it doesn't like he's going to make it."

Pauline is keen to spread the word to prevent other animals from being harmed.

"The couple was absolutely distraught about what happened.

They contacted me because they wanted to highlight what is happening."

She emphasised that animal cruelty is showing no signs of easing.

"We are coming up against so many cases of cruelty. While these cases are very sad, they are no longer surprising."

Pauline's Rescue takes in abandoned dogs and horses in the North Cork area and gives them a second chance at life. 

For more information visit http://www.paulinesrescue.com