After her cat was shot through the eye with a pellet gun, Illiondale resident Debbie Walker appealed to the community for assistance in finding the shooter.
Walker’s cat, Dusty, was shot on January 6 and was humanely euthanised on January 7.
She highlighted that this was her second cat which had been shot by a pellet gun in recent months
The family only moved to the area six months ago.
Patches, the family’s first cat to be shot, was taken to Harmelia Animal Clinic on August 14, last year, after the family noticed a wound on the cat’s swollen left back leg.
In a veterinary report provided to the NEWS by Walker, Dr Amanda Haechler of the clinic wrote that Patches was treated on August 15.
Initially thought to be a burst abscess, the wound was examined by veterinary staff which displayed bruising associated with a fractured leg.
After radiographs were taken the pellet was detected just below the cat’s knee joint, which was removed.
Walker said although Patches recovered, she does show signs of muscle damage.
“On the day Dusty was shot, we had come home shortly after 5pm when my daughter pointed out to me that there was something wrong with Dusty.”
Walker said that Dusty’s left eye was swollen, bruised and full of blood.
After Walker noticed her cat’s injuries, the cat was taken to Harmelia Animal Clinic on January 6.
Dr Haechler’s report for Dusty reads as follows.
“The damage was so extensive that an enucleation [eye removal] was booked for the next day. She [Dusty] was first treated for shock and spent the night in the hospital.
“On January 7, she was sedated. Marked swelling and bruising were inside her mouth on the left side which extended down towards her throat. Radiographs were taken and a pellet was detected on the left side of her first cervical [neck] vertebra.
“I then passed an endotracheal tube down her windpipe to administer anaesthetic gas. I tried to pass another endotracheal tube down her oesophagus but due to the soft tissue damage caused by the pellet, her normal anatomy was destroyed and the opening to her oesophagus could not be found.
“Sadly due to the extent of the damage done by the pellet, Dusty was humanely euthanised on January 7.”
Walker believes someone in Illiondale has a vendetta against cats and is targeting them with a pellet gun.
She described the death of seven-year-old Dusty as very emotional.
“Dusty was my baby. I had recently been through a tough time, she was my rock.”
In the hopes of seeing action taken, Walker called Edenvale SPCA who informed her to call the EMPD.
Upon arrival, EMPD officers informed Walker they could not do anything as no one was actively shooting the pellet gun and told her to phone the SAPS.
On January 8, Walker phoned Edenvale’s sector two policing and met with officers in the early evening.
“The SAPS officers were not very helpful and seemed disinterested in the matter.
“When the officers accompanied us to the person’s property, who we believed was shooting our cats, the person said they did not own a pellet gun.
“Police said there was no proof that the person we suspected was discharging the pellet gun.”
Walker explained that although the family is relatively new to the area, neighbours informed her that it is a longstanding issue.
“One of my neighbours said that they have had pellets whizz past them on more than one occasion.”
Edenvale SAPS spokesperson Sgt Jacob Mashile said police are looking into the matter and will provide feedback to the NEWS as soon as possible.
Side Bar
According to the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, it is an offence to:
1. Cause bodily injury to any person or cause damage to property of any person by negligently using a firearm, an antique firearm or an airgun [pellet gun].
2. Discharge or otherwise handle a firearm, an antique firearm or an airgun in a manner likely to injure or endanger the safety or property of any person or with reckless disregard for the safety or property of any person.
3. Have control of a loaded firearm, an antique firearm or an airgun in circumstances where it creates a risk to the safety or property of any person and not to take reasonable precautions to avoid the danger.
4.To discharge a firearm, an antique firearm or an airgun in a built-up area [such as a residential area] or any public place, without good reason to do so.
The act further reads that any person convicted of a contravention of or a failure to comply with the act may be sentenced to a fine or imprisonment.
