Shot cat fighting for life

Spartan . . . shot while playing outside in Clarksfield

Owner furious over attack on her pet

A young cat is fighting for its life after being shot by callous thugs in Clarksfield.

Tracey Schofield, who adopted one-year-old Spartan last year following the death of her husband, found the tomcat collapsed on her bed.

The 45-year-old, who lives in Glaisdale, rushed it to County’s End Vets in Lees where she was told Spartan stood only a minimal chance of survival.

It underwent major surgery to remove pellets from its large and small intestines and will now have to stay at the vets until it can feed itself.

Tracey, who has two other cats, said: “He didn’t seem himself when he came in on Friday night and he just went straight to bed. When I came home from work on Saturday he was totally collapsed. I thought he had been fighting so it was a massive shock when the vet said he had been shot.

“I have insurance for him but I am not sure if it will cover all his treatment. I don’t know what the vet’s costs will be yet but I think I’m looking at over £1,000.

“He seems to be recovering quite well but they won’t know for sure until he starts eating solids. The pellets ruptured his bowel which could lead to a fatal infection.

“I am absolutely fuming and can’t believe someone would want to hurt a harmless animal like this. He is a huge part of the family and stopped me being lonely when my husband Graham died.

“He was just playing outside minding his own business and that happened to him. He is such a lovely cat and I would be lost without him.”