Kitten Indiana Jones killed in air rifle attack
A COUPLE have been left devastated after their kitten was shot and killed.
Seven-month-old Indiana died shortly after undergoing surgery on a pellet wound caused by an air rifle.
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Kitten Indiana Jones
His owners Alison and Mark Jones, of Weston Park, Longton, are now afraid to let their three remaining cats out in case the same thing happens again.
Mrs Jones, aged 44, said: "Indiana used to be in and out of the cat flap all the time, so when he was out for an hour we thought it was strange.
"All our cats have a tracking device on their collar, so we tracked him and found he was in the garden.
"My husband went outside and found him lying there and knew there was something wrong with him. We couldn't see a wound but it was like he was in shock, and he had been sick."
The couple rushed Indiana to the emergency vets at the PDSA in Stoke and he was kept in overnight. The next day an x-ray revealed a pellet lodged in his thigh.
The x-ray shows the pellet lodged in Indiana’s thigh.
He was taken to vets Rogers, Brock and Barker in Longton where an operation revealed that the pellet had passed through his intestines and caused serious damage.
Although he survived the operation, he died shortly afterwards.
Mrs Jones, a charity shop manager, said: "We are devastated. We lost a cat six months ago through ill health and that was a bad enough shock, but when someone shoots a young, healthy cat for a laugh it's disgusting.
"He was the most beautiful cat you've ever seen. He was a rescue cat and we had only had him for five months. We loved him so much and we feel like a light has been switched off.
"I'm scared to death of letting my other cats out. There are a lot of cats in the area where we live and I think people need to be made aware this has happened."
Vet Bruce Barker, from Rogers, Brock and Barker, treated Indiana.
He said: "We have seen an increase in the number of air pellet injuries coming in. Some cats are lucky and survive, but some don't.
"Unfortunately, Indiana wasn't able to make it through.
"There are enough diseases and risks for animals without man targeting them. This was just wanton nastiness which was completely avoidable."
Mr and Mrs Jones reported the attack to the police and the RSPCA and both are investigating.
RSPCA inspector Martin Dolan said: "I am quite frankly disgusted that people haven't got better things to do with their time.
"Aiming an air gun at an animal in order to cause it pain and suffering is a criminal offence and if we find out who is responsible for these attacks we will prosecute.
"The police have also been informed and are carrying out their own investigations."
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by mandy, kidsgrove
Monday, November 24 2008, 11:45AM
“I work with alison she is the most caring person i know the stories she would tell about her babies were fantastic and indiana was defo the funny one indiana gave alison 7 months of love fun and laughter and now one of her babies has been taken away from her i just hope that the person who did this will have something special taken from them i hope alison gets justice.Indiana was lucky to have you ali and you were lucky to have him all my love mandy x”
by James, Longton
Tuesday, November 18 2008, 3:24PM
“I have known Indiana since Alison and Mark first had him. He was little at the time but he soon SPROUTED up. Whenever i called round he was either sleeping or running around like a nutter. He did some crazy thing's. He was not afraid to try the unthinkable. He had his own personality. He even gave the other three cat's a run for there money. He bought life into the other cats. The other cat's were just getting used to him being around. I can't express in words how upset i was to hear that someone had shot him. There has to be some justice for what has happened here.
I was brought up with animals in my life. I have got a dog myself at the moment and i also had a cat of my own once. They are the best thing that you can have. The love you get back of them is so much more than what you give. Now to Dog lover, Longton. You say you are a dog lover. I personally think you have no heart. I am disgusted with your attitude. It STINKS. I think people who do this to animals eventually stop getting the frill form shoting animals and decide to shot humans.
Indiana will be missed by me and everyone that knew him.
There is now an empty cratter in the lives of those people that knew Indiana and no-one can take that away. But maybe there will be another cat just like him that will come into Alison's and Mark's lives and will fill abit of that VOID. It's going to take time to heal. Indiana was a one off.
I just hope that this will never happen to anyone else.
Thankyou to everyone who has place nice comments.”
by hadleigh, blurton
Tuesday, November 18 2008, 12:07AM
“i have been friends with mark and alison for 22 years their devotion to their cats is second to non.indiana was given a loving home and was also helping mark and alison in the grieving process for their cat india who died very young earlier this year , as for the person who commited this cruel and vile act and you know who you are , what can i say a gun is a cowards weapon you want to be a man then step up to the plate and hand yourself in lets face it any idiot can pull a trigger! i also am a strong believer in kharma what goes around comes around and hopefully yours isn't to far away!”
by Sam, Longton
Monday, November 17 2008, 8:36PM
“Being a close friend of indy's parents.I would like to thank you all on their behalf for your nice comments. You could not find a kinder more loving couple. They both adored all their cats and have given a loving home to them all. Even the moody fat one( they know). Indy was the most delightful little,funny,loving and mad little cat. He will be missed by us all. I would comment on the person who did this. But, they really are not worth it. If they could just see the hurt that they have caused to my friends. I hope in time that they will get over this, and in time a loving, caring home will be there for a cat who needs it. It means a lot to them that so many people feel the same as we all do. We all just hope that this will never happen to anyone else. Randy and Indy always remembered.”
by jason, Macclesfield
Monday, November 17 2008, 6:47PM
“Whoever did this needs help , they are sick .”