A pet owner was devastated after one of the world’s oldest cats was shot dead by cruel teenage creeps – at the age of 25.
Grandfather Brian Parker, who is 67, was left distraught when callous thugs targeted his beloved tabby called Mummy Cat, who was 118 in ‘human years’.The family had confronted teenagers wielding air rifles, who claimed they were just out shooting rabbits, moments before the cat was gunned down on May 26.The creeps then turned their weapons on Mummy Cat and shot her twice at close range – once in the abdomen and once in her face, causing her to lose an eye.Brian rushed his beloved senior cat to the vets who told him the facial bullet was sitting too close to her brain so she would have to be put down.The father-of-four, who lives in Hindlip, Worcestershire, blasted the teenagers for shooting his pet, who was indeed on course to break the record for the world’s oldest cat.
He stated: ‘She was so fit and healthy and she would have gone on for plenty of years, I’m sure of that.’I don’t understand how people could shoot a cat that does not harm anyone. It is disgusting. She was very friendly, she always wanted attention.’It’s an awful thing to happen to a cat who would just stretch out in the conservatory or sit outside watching the world go by. She was very active despite her age and loved to play.’The worst thing is you can’t really do anything about it. If you got hold of the thugs who did it and gave them a good hiding you would get arrested.’In the last few weeks I have heard of a number of people with air guns in public.’We are right by the canal and you get lots of families with young children around who don’t want to see people carrying guns.’
Brian, who works as a lock keeper for the Canal and River Trust, states Mummy Cat had kittens with her when she turned up at the family’s home as a stray back 25 years ago.
The grandfather-of-one added: ‘She was a tabby cat and she had really big feet and had about 10 toes.
Grandfather Brian Parker, 67, was left distraught when thugs targeted his beloved tabby
‘Mummy Cat was on course to be the oldest cat in the world and it is sad that her life was ended in that barbaric way.’
Brian’s daughter Laura Webb, who is 30, said Mummy Cat was so friendly that she could have gone up to greet her attackers.
She went on to add: ‘My brother had been with the cat minutes before, getting her to play chase with a long strand of grass and fussing her.
‘He went into the house for a few minutes. He then saw someone wielding an air rifle, crouching and stalking something right in front of the house.
‘My brother confronted him and told him he could not have an air rifle out in public. The teen said he was just shooting rabbits and ran off to his friends.
‘A few minutes later our cat ran into the house bleeding. She was 25 and a really lovely, friendly cat who spent her time basking in the sun and greeting passing boaters.
‘She was so friendly. She probably went to greet her attacker.
‘The family and all who knew her are heartbroken, not only by the loss, but by the fact that it occurred as a result of an unnecessary evil attack.’
The savage attack comes mere days after research by Cats Protection revealed 44 per cent of vets have treated cats who have been victims of air weapons in the last year.
A spokesperson for the cat welfare charity stated: ‘We’re very sorry to hear of the death of Mummy Cat and would like to express our sympathies to her owner.
‘The report we have heard suggesting that she was shot twice at close range is extremely upsetting and we would urge anyone with any information to please contact the RSPCA or the police.
‘It is vital that we do all that can to ensure wicked cats like this do not go unpunished.’
West Mercia Police confirmed that officers were indeed investigating the incident but said no arrests have been made.
A spokesperson for the force went on to say: ‘We were called to reports that a pet cat appeared to have been shot in the face with an air rifle.
‘Sadly the cat was injured and needed to be put to sleep. Following a number of lines of enquiry, no arrests have been made at this time. West Mercia Police does not tolerate animal cruelty.’
