A Bay of Plenty cat shot with a. 22 calibre rifle has had its leg amputated, in the latest of a string of cat shootings across New Zealand.
Roari, a 4-year-old Bengal, was shot while staying with friends in Taranaki. The wound was so devastating his leg could not be saved, says Te Puna woman and Roari's "nani" Catherine Edmonds, who was in tears at the plight of the family's beloved pet.
"His front left leg was shattered ... if they had tried to save it, it would be pain and suffering for him, so to save his life they had to amputate."
Roari has had further surgery at Tauranga Vets after complications in which even more skin had to be cut away. Although he's home now on pain medication and antibiotics, he faces going under the knife again.
"The whole family have been absolutely devastated. Who would do this? It was a deliberate attack because anyone can see he is a domestic cat."
Ms Edmonds said the family were adamant that everything must be done to save Roari, despite vet bills in the thousands. A Givealittle page has been set up to help with his ongoing care and future surgery.
"If we hadn't had the surgeries, we would have had to put him down and that is unthinkable, he is a much-loved family pet. The children were distraught and inconsolable ... my daughter said she would give up her own arm to save Roari.
"We loved him with four legs and we love him with three legs. He is a beautiful boy, how could someone do this. We are just glad he is still with us."
Tauranga vet Sonia McCaw who treated Roari said she believed the cat was targeted.
Treating animals with gunshot wounds was tragically close to home for Ms McCaw - her own family dog was shot and killed.
Roari's shooting was also eerily similar to an attack on another pedigree Bengal shot in Christchurch this month, also with a .22 rifle. Shot twice by a stranger, cat Misty also had to have her leg removed, Stuff reported.
He is a beautiful boy, how could someone do this. We are just glad he is still with us.
Last month a Lower Hutt domestic cat was also shot with a high-velocity firearm, and the incident was reported to police, according to the Dominion Post.
In June NZME reported a rise of animal cruelty in the Invercargill region with a cat shot and a family dog shot dead in his own property. A cat in Southland, Nala, was this week left partially paralysed after 10 shotgun pellets were lodged in her back and neck, TVNZ reported.
A police spokesperson told NZME this week that numbers of recorded incidents this year of cat shootings throughout the country were not readily available and would have to be requested under the Official Information Act.
Here in the Bay of Plenty, Senior Sergeant Bill Fishersaid people concerned about such incidents, or people with weapons, should contact police.
"Each incident is assessed on its individual circumstances as to whether an offence has been committed under any relevant legislation."
Mr Fisher said the SPCA was also available for reporting any animal welfare concerns.
SPCA spokeswoman Jessie Gilchrist said the charity did not record gunshot wounds so couldn't say whether there was an increase in animal shootings.
"An SPCA inspector can investigate incidents of animal abuse, which of course deliberate shootings are."
Givealittle
To help with Roari's ongoing veterinary costs including future surgery and pain medication Roari's Givealittle Page