Two people in Abbotsford have reported that their cats have been killed or wounded after being shot with a pellet gun in the past week.
Angela Wartberg said her cat, Charlie, was wounded between 1 and 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4.
The 16-month-old cat returned to his home on Seal Way – located south of Peardonville Road and east of Clearbrook Road – after having been outside.
When Wartberg began petting him, she noticed a bump on his left side. Upon closer inspection, she found a pellet lodged halfway in.
She was able to pull out the object, and Charlie otherwise seemed fine.
Wartberg took him to the vet the next day, and he received an injection to prevent an infection.Wartberg, who said she has no idea who would want to harm Charlie, reported the matter to police and also contacted The News.
“I hope we can warn others as I know there are a lot of people with cats around this neighbourhood,” she said.
Wartberg said she’s just happy that Charlie was not hurt more seriously.
Meanwhile, Steve Allingham says his family’s eight-year-old cat Daisy (in photo below) died after being shot with a pellet gun on Thursday night.
He said the cat was in his backyard on Robertson Avenue when she was hit, resulting in one of her ribs being shattered and her left lung being torn. Daisy did not survive the night and he said the family is devastated.
“She was not only a pet, but a member of the family, as well as a therapy cat, as my wife suffers from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder),” Allingham said.
He said Daisy was the “pack leader” of the house, which also includes a great Dane cross and four younger cats. Allingham reported the incident to police.
“We want to get the word out and find justice,” he said.
Const. Ian MacDonald confirmed that both incidents have been reported to the Abbotsford Police Department (APD), and these are the only two of this nature currently on file.
He said police receive occasional reports of incidents involving pellet guns, paint guns and air soft rifles. Often, homes and cars are hit, either intentionally or because someone is being careless, MacDonald said.
He said reports of animals being targeted are rare, but “there’s always the potential of someone being even more sinister” than shooting at inanimate objects.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the APD at 604-859-5225 or text 222973 (abbypd).
