Cat recovers from leg amputation after being shot

A cat has had to have his leg amputated after he was hit by a pellet from an air rifle.

Simba the cat was taken to Drove Veterinary Hospital in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, where he had to undergo surgery to have his leg amputated.

Purton Cattery, which has taken over Simba's care since the surgery, said the operation went well and he was back at the cattery where he was currently on "strong pain relief and antibiotics".

Emma Turner, from the cattery, said: "As Simba's carer, the incident was understandably quite worrying but I'm very relieved that the surgery went well. It has been a stressful experience but I'm encouraged by how well he is responding and improving each day."

The veterinary clinic which treated Simba said the surgery went well and he had been "showing resilience despite everything he has been through".

His recovery is expected to be a long process but his condition was currently stable, the clinic said.

The initial assumption was that Simba had been in a road traffic accident but X-rays confirmed he had been shot with a pellet gun.

Purton Cattery said they reported the incident to Wiltshire Police, which said the incident took place between April 4 and April 8 in the fields and roads near Evening Star in southeast Royal Wootton Bassett.

A spokesperson for the force said: "We are appealing for information after a cat was shot by an unknown suspect with what is thought to be an air rifle, resulting in it needing to have its leg amputated.

"This is a heartlessly cruel crime and we would ask anyone who witnessed it or has any information to contact us."

A spokesperson for the Purton Cattery said: "It is still too early to confirm when he will be ready to find a permanent home as this will depend on how his recovery progresses over the coming weeks.

"He will need a home that will cater to his needs with a restricted outdoor access like a catio or secure garden."

The spokesperson said the bill for Simba's treatment came to more than £3,000.

They said anyone wishing to donate towards the bill could call Drove Veterinary Hospital.

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