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I shoot guns but I don't hunt, so need some help with this.
Last weekend (Saturday) my cat came home bleeding and his left rear leg was completely limp. I found out he got shot and it was likely a low grade shotgun from close range based on the spread but also as it his his rear and rear left leg I suspect my cat was running away from the shooter.
My cat is completely gray color and this happened in daylight somewhere between 2-5pm.
It's possible a neighbor did this with a temper and likely out of protecting his cat (from a catfight) but also very possible a hunter as we are near prime popular hunting land.
The wound was bad enough on his femur that the bone split apart and had to have his leg amputated, so kids are upset and I have a big bill to pay the vet just in time for Christmas.
So what I'm wondering is there any chance a hunter would have mistaken my cat for something else and if so what?
Someone shot your cat on purpose. To be honest, feral cats can be a huge problem to someone with chickens or what not. Someone may have thought your cat was a problem animal. It still sucks though.
I'd probably have a big problem if I ever found out who did that.
I'd be constrained by the laws naturally, but I would wish I wasn't. No-one has the right to do this. And the suffering of your cat? I wonder how the shooter would like to have his leg amputated after a shotgun had mangled it?
Apparently during our infamous Civil War, this sort of outcome was common with the troops, especially with those cannons that fired grapeshot, or a soft lead balled musket that hit a solid bone. & then splintered into about 6 pieces! Plus, no anesthesia. Ouch.
Anyhow, best of luck to your cat! Three-legged cats & dogs do quite well, actually, and hopefully he learned who to avoid.... If only he could talk, huh?
I shoot guns but I don't hunt, so need some help with this.
Last weekend (Saturday) my cat came home bleeding and his left rear leg was completely limp. I found out he got shot and it was likely a low grade shotgun from close range based on the spread but also as it his his rear and rear left leg I suspect my cat was running away from the shooter.
My cat is completely gray color and this happened in daylight somewhere between 2-5pm.
It's possible a neighbor did this with a temper and likely out of protecting his cat (from a catfight) but also very possible a hunter as we are near prime popular hunting land.
The wound was bad enough on his femur that the bone split apart and had to have his leg amputated, so kids are upset and I have a big bill to pay the vet just in time for Christmas.
So what I'm wondering is there any chance a hunter would have mistaken my cat for something else and if so what?
What type of area do you live in? I live in a small town of 60 people...and it's not uncommon to shoot feral cats. Is it possible someone thought it was a stray?
For Kitty's well-being I'd suggest keeping him inside from now on!
I'm in a rural area with big yards, there are lots of cats roaming around and often dogs too. He has 3 cats and lots of other animals so presumably he is not offended by that but no I don't clean up after him and just for some context his cats often come on our property, my kids love them and pet them but the cat he used to have years ago would come over at least once a day and pick a fight with my older cat - once even costing a vet bill. I never brought it up with him as to me it was just the consequences of having an outdoor cat.
Sorry, I just think shooting pets is on a whole other level, a person has anger problems that go beyond the norm.
As to your link, I'm sure roaming cats do kill birds, so do hunters, its a part of life and not the same category as harm to pets, at least in my opinion.
Thanks for your replies, really I think it was this neighbor I mentioned, I just wanted to rule out it being a hunter and an accident.
By the way, the neighbor in question always wears a baseball cap and waves hello when he passes on his tractor (he often even cleared our driveway just as a nice gesture), yesterday he had a full parka on with hood done all the way up (this was a fairly warm day with no rain) and he turned to the side to avoid looking our way and no wave or anything else - sort of trying to avoid any notice.
It kind of sucks because we always got on well with him for years, now I'm not even sure what I want to do...
I'm in a rural area with big yards, there are lots of cats roaming around and often dogs too. He has 3 cats and lots of other animals so presumably he is not offended by that but no I don't clean up after him and just for some context his cats often come on our property, my kids love them and pet them but the cat he used to have years ago would come over at least once a day and pick a fight with my older cat - once even costing a vet bill. I never brought it up with him as to me it was just the consequences of having an outdoor cat.
Sorry, I just think shooting pets is on a whole other level, a person has anger problems that go beyond the norm.
As to your link, I'm sure roaming cats do kill birds, so do hunters, its a part of life and not the same category as harm to pets, at least in my opinion.
Both cat and dog owners should control their pets and keep them from roaming. BTW Hunters PAY for the priviledge to hunt and harvest game through licensing, ammo and gun fees as well as millions of dollars in charitable contribuitons for wildlife habitat restoration and preservation. Did you pay a fee to license your cat to mitigate it's potential destructive effect on wildlife?
cats roam large areas by habit, it's possible somebody else shot your cat, like a hunter, or teenagers thinking it's fun
I wouldnt point the finger at the neighbor too soon, especially if he knows it's your cat
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Revenge?
