"Vimto" - Cat with Airgun Wounds
| I am glad to say that over the years I have been working as a veterinary surgeon I have rarely come across genuine cases of animal cruelty. Most instances where pets suffer are generally due to ignorance, misguidance and unfortunate circumstances. The one clear example of genuine cruelty is where certain individuals take it upon themselves to inflict pain by shooting animals in the hope of maiming and injuring. "Vimto" was one such victim who presented to the surgery bleeding and shocked from a wound to his chest. Recently, with a number of national news stories I have struggled to comprehend what it is that makes people behave in a certain manner and shooting cats with an airgun rifle falls into that category. Cruelty to animals cannot be categorised in the same bracket as some of the abuse our own species has endured at the hands of its fellow citizens. Nevertheless, a great deal of research has attempted to demonstrate a link between those who fail to understand the suffering they inflict on animals and subsequently the pain they inflict on our society. Should we be able to educate those miscreants in the manner of suffering at an earlier age it may well be that future traumas may be avoided. Consequently, should anyone know of someone who is responsible for causing this level of suffering to "Vimto" in the Earl Shilton area they would do well to notify the RSPCA (Tel: 0300 1234 999) in the faint hope of avoiding future and potentially more damaging circumstances. Terry Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS |
