Cat's injuries deliberate, cruel

Joanna Habdank

A West Vancouver veterinarian is outraged at the critical injuries inflicted on a docile stray cat that was shot repeatedly with a pellet gun with a possible intention to kill.

The West Vancouver SPCA brought the crippled cat to the Hollyburn Veterinary Hospital on March 7 with puncture wounds indicating he was shot at close range, said Dr. Neil Cropper, owner of the clinic.

Said Cropper, "The thought of such deliberate cruelty is absolutely sickening."

X-rays revealed BB pellets lodged in the cat's body, with one dangerously wedged between the heart and diaphragm.

The cat, named Ginger, also suffered from several shots to the underside base of its tail. There was also extensive bruising on its tail, belly and thighs.

"We see (attacks) several times a year," said Lana Simon, director of the West Vancouver charity Pacific Animal Foundation.

The organization, which depends on volunteers and donations, is helping pay for the cat's surgery, the cost of which has not yet been determined.

Simon said such cases are alarming because when animals get hurt with things like BB guns or firecrackers, they are not necessarily killed outright but left to suffer in a lot of pain.

"(Attacks) do occur, certainly not regularly, but one case is too many," said Laurie Chortyk, spokesperson for the B.C. SPCA.

"Generally, when (this occurs) it involves either young people that are involved in random violence, which is really disturbing, or when (it's) a matter between neighbours," said Chortyk.

Cpl. Fred Harding of the West Vancouver police said this is an isolated case, adding that cruelty and torture to animals is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment.

What makes this crime even more distressing is that Ginger was an incredibly gentle animal, said Niki Breuer, who has known the cat for the past five months. He was fed and looked after on a daily basis by her and others in Breuer's building.

"When I found out he was hurt, I was just beside myself," said Breuer. "How anyone can hurt a creature that has brought nothing but love to the world is beyond me."

"Ginger is really lucky to have survived," said Cropper.

He said the cat is now on painkillers and although its tail had to be amputated due to the extent of tissue damage, its overall prognosis is good.

The Pacific Animal Foundation is hoping to locate a permanent home for Ginger. More information on the foundation can be found at www.pacificanimal.org.

published on 03/20/2006

NEWS photos Mike Wakefield
Ginger, a cat that was shot at repeatedly with a pellet gun causing extensive damage to his belly, thighs and the base of his tail, is comforted by veterinary assistant Launi Davis at the Hollyburn Veterinary Hospital.