A couple have told of their horror after sick thugs shot dead their beloved pet cat. T3, an 18-month-old male tabby cat, was discovered fighting for his life by Marilyn and Wilf Caygill in the back garden of their Hartlepool home. The cat had been shot by an air rifle gun in his side and despite best efforts to save him, later died. The couple, who had only had the young cat for two weeks after taking him in as a stray, have been left devastated by the sickening attack. Wilf, who lives with Marilyn in Romanby Close, in Hartlepool, said: "I'm absolutely devastated." "I just can't believe anyone would want to deliberately injure an animal like this." "We adopted T3 as a stray and gave him his unusual name as a tribute to our two other cats, which are both called Tiger." "He was very playful and always full of energy and we loved having him around the house." "It's a terrible shame he's gone, he was a lovely cat and didn't deserve such a horrific death." The couple has since contacted the RSPCA to ask for its help in tracking down the people responsible for T3's death on Tuesday and have also reported the incident to the police. RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Mark Gent said: "This is a shocking case in which a domestic, friendly cat appears to have been deliberately targeted and made to suffer." "This is just one of many irresponsible airgun-related incidents RSPCA inspectors regularly have to deal with." "Many afflicted wild animals will hide away to die painful and lingering deaths, and air pellet entry wounds are difficult to detect by the untrained eye." "If anyone saw, heard or knows anything about this incident we are keen to hear from them urgently." A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "We are aware of this incident and officers have visited the couple. But because there are no witnesses we are unable to take it any further at this moment in time." Anyone with information into the incident should contact the RSPCA cruelty and advice line on 0300-123-4999. Calls are in confidence. |