Published: Thursday, 4th December, 2008 11:15am

Suffering of "shot" cat ends

A BELOVED family cat was so badly injured in a 'sickening' air gun attack that she had to be put down.

Ten-year-old Venus, who belonged to Pencaitland couple Ann and Hugh Buchanan, suffered a shattered knee after she was cruelly shot earlier this month.

The Buchanans, who live at Woodhall, first noticed their cat was injured on November 5, when it became clear she was having difficulty moving.

'We have two Norfolk terriers (Ruby and Rocket) and when she"d see them she would run up a tree or a bush to get away from them, ' explained Hugh, 50.

'We noticed that she couldn"t get out of their way and that she had blood on her chest and her legs.'

The couple then rushed Venus to the Links Veterinary Group clinic in Haddington.

Veterinary surgeon Padraig Egan, who treated Venus, told the Courier: 'She was in a vast amount of pain even under sedation.'

Venus was kept overnight at the clinic under observation before an x-ray revealed a lodged air gun pellet, that had completely shattered the knee joint of her left hind leg.

Though the pellet was removed, it was unlikely that Venus would have survived the surgery needed to repair the damage.

Not wanting to cause her pet any more suffering, Ann made the painful decision to have Venus put to sleep.

'For a cat of this age, it wouldn"t have been fair on her,' said Dr Egan.

'Unfortunately attacks on animals like this are quite common in the area,' he added.

'It is very sad, she was a lovely little cat.'

Ann and Hugh, who have three daughters, have now urged members of the public who may have information relating to the attack to come forward.

'She was an incredibly friendly and clever cat,' said Ann.

'This was very upsetting for all of us.'

Added Hugh: 'She was quite an old cat but this is certainly not the way I would have wanted her to go,' said Hugh.

'That someone has taken advantage of her good nature really annoys me.

'And what is really sickening is that people could do such a thing and think that it is funny.'

Anyone with information on the attack should contact Tranent Police Station on 01875 610333 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: 'This was a disgusting attack on a defenceless animal ultimately leading to its death and we would urge anyone with information to come forward.

'While the Scottish SSPCA believes that the majority of air gun users are law abiding and use them according to the law, there are those who misuse air guns and cause horrific injuries to animals.'