GALLERY: Surge in pellet gun attacks leave pet owners devastated
ROODEPOORT – Local residents concerned for pets' safety
A cause of death initially thought to be cardiac turned out to be more serious on closer inspection. When Alexia Steensma found her cat, Tiffany’s body was still warm and her nose still wet. It seemed odd that Tiffany, born in 2009, should suffer a heart attack.
As the Florida vet, who asked to remain anonymous, parted every inch of Tiffany’s fur, a small penetrating wound with little blood was found on the right side of her chest. After inserting a probe, it was found that Tiffany had been shot by a pellet gun. The pellet entered the right side of her chest and lodged in her spine having travelled through her heart and lung. While the vet couldn’t say how long Tiffany suffered, it was confirmed that her death was excruciating. Also noted was the lack of a glancing wound, meaning Tiffany did not run away from whomever approached her.
When asked about the prevalence of these injuries, the vet confirmed that there had been “a surge” since the beginning of May, with a minimum of five attacks, brought to that clinic alone in the last month. There doesn’t seem to be any geographical pattern with the vet treating pets from many areas and attacks taking place in Struben’s Valley, Florida and as far as Greymont. Most owners say they have a suspicion of who is responsible but many are afraid to come forward as they fear retaliation against their other animals. But not all pets die immediately.
When asked what owners can do if they suspect their pet has been shot, the following advice was given:
- The first thing to look for is whether or not the animal is able to walk. If so, that buys the animal a bit of time.
- If the animal is found unconscious, put it on a tray or something flat and cover it with a blanket as their body temperature will drop rapidly when they go into shock.
- Finally, owners should always know the location of their closest emergency vet.
Details: Northwest Animal Emergencies, 011 475 2833/4; Fourways Veterinary Hospital, 011 705 3411 and
Bryanston Veterinary Hospital, 011 706 6023.
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