Appeal to find yob who shot poor Pippa
Reporter: ANDREW RUDKIN
Date published: 22 June 2011
SAFE now . . . Pippa is back in the loving arms of Chloe and Zara Bowskill after being cruelly shot by an air rifle.
A MUCH-LOVED pet cat has been shot in the leg by a heartless thug.
Owners Gary and Lynne Bowskill, of Royton, have been left outraged at the vile act on poor Pippa.
Vets cannot remove the lodged pellet — it is too close to a nerve and would put Pippa at risk of losing the leg if they decided to operate.
Lynne (47) said: “I found Pippa lying in the garden with blood all over leg.
“We thought it was foxes at first, because there are quite a few that roam around here. We took her to the vet and realised it was a pellet.”
The couple were due to celebrate their wedding anniversary with a romantic meal but instead ended up forking out £300 for Pippa’s vet fees.
The incident is believed to have happened in the late afternoon on Saturday, behind the Bowskill’s property on Wetherby Drive where there is a cemetery and allotments.
The RSPCA have issued an appeal in a bid to catch the yob.
More than 550 complaints have been made nationwide to the RSPCA about animals being shot by air rifles over the past year.
A new law introduced earlier this year sees irresponsible air-gun owners liable to a fine of up to £1,000 if they do not take necessary steps to prevent people under the age of 18 accessing their gun.
Lynne added: “Who could do such a disgusting thing, especially to an animal?
“I think it’s sick. I just hope it triggers someone’s conscience.”
If anyone can help with any information relating to the incident or any act of animal cruelty, call the 24-hour RSPCA cruelty line on 0300-1234 999, in the strictest of confidence.
