Cat recovering after being shot with arrow

By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

October 07, 2008 08:31 pm

— ASHTABULA — A cat is recovering after having been shot in the back with an arrow.
The 1-year-old orange tabby suffered for about three days with the arrow sticking out of his body.
“He’s a very lucky cat,” said Jefferson veterinarian Diane Veale, who removed the arrow Tuesday. “The arrow entered from the top, traveled down the side of his rib cage and shattered his front leg.”
The cat, named Pumpkin by Animal Protective League staff, may need to have his right leg amputated, Veale said, adding she will know more Wednesday on whether she can save the leg.
Veale spent about 45 minutes Tuesday, cleaning the wound of maggots and removing the arrow.
“This was not an accident,” she said. “This arrow had a field point on it.”
Field points usually are used for target shooting.
The city’s animal control officer, Bob Cevera, also believes the injury was not an accident. He saw the cat Tuesday morning while picking up some paperwork at the APL.
“People need to know they can’t be shooting cats,” he said.
Police are investigating the case, according to Cevera, and looking for the perpetrator.
“It seems like a real nice cat,” Cevera said.
Theresa Davies, one of the APL’s feline caregivers, said a woman who feeds stray cats brought Pumpkin into the APL Tuesday morning.
“It’s pretty sad, actually,” Davies said. “(Pumpkin) seemed tired, but he ate a whole can of cat food.”
Davies drove the cat to the Country Doctor Veterinary Clinic in Jefferson, where Veale then took care of him.
Since Pumpkin is a stray cat, donations are needed to help pay for his medical expenses. Donations can be made out to the APL, 5970 Green Road, Ashtabula, OH 44004. Donors can write “Pumpkin” on the check.
Pumpkin also will need a home after he recovers from his ordeal. Anyone interested in adopting him should call (440) 224-1222.

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