Pet killed in air rifle shooting (From Barry And District News)

Pet killed in air rifle shooting

A BARRY pet owner is devastated after her beloved cat was shot and killed in her garden.

Angela Price is distraught following the death of seven-year-old Dylan who was gunned down on Tuesday, September 7.

The Dylan Crescent resident said: "My husband and I are devastated. He was a part of the family and I can not believe someone would do that to an animal. We could pick him up and he would not care at all because he was so placid."

Youths were seen on the path at the bottom of the garden around the time Dylan was hurt.

The Price's have another cat called Jasper who is the same age as Dylan. Jasper is timid and does not like going near people, but he alerted the family to the distressed Dylan.

He was found at the bottom of the garden and could not move. Dental nurse Angela said: "At first we thought that he had been bitten in a fight because there was a puncture wound where the pellet had gone in. "We took Dylan to the vet who x-rayed him. The vet was very angry when he told us that it was a gunshot wound. He had to be put down because he was paralysed. If it had hit him anywhere either side of his spine he could have survived."

Crime prevention police officer Mike Todd of Barry police said: "This incident has caused the family immense pain and suffering and all pet owners will understand their grief. The loss of your pet in this way is inconceivable and those responsible should be thoroughly ashamed of their cowardly and cruel behaviour.

"We would urge all owners of air weapons to use them in a safe and responsible way and would remind them of the fact that these guns can kill. If any one has information as to who may be responsible for this incident they should call police."