Two cats hurt or killed in spate of airgun shootings in Northamptonshire neighbourhood

Two cats have been shot in the space of three days around a Brackley
By Alastair Ulke
Published 26th Jan 2021, 16:47 BST
Updated 26th Jan 2021, 17:44 BST
Two cats have been shot using an air rifle in the space of three days in the area of a Brackley neighbourhood.Two cats have been shot using an air rifle in the space of three days in the area of a Brackley neighbourhood.
Two cats have been shot using an air rifle in the space of three days in the area of a Brackley neighbourhood.

Two family cats have been hurt or killed in a string of airgun shootings over the course of a week in a Brackley neighbourhood.

In the space of three days, two separate pet owners from Somerville Road, off Pavillions Way, have reported finding their pet cats with severe injuries after letting them out over night.

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In one case, one family's beloved five-year-old tom Peanut was found dead by a neighbour, Lauren Clark.

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An x-ray of Molly the cat, showing the air pellet lodged under her skin.An x-ray of Molly the cat, showing the air pellet lodged under her skin.
An x-ray of Molly the cat, showing the air pellet lodged under her skin.

But Lauren's discovery of Peanut came just three days after he own cat, Molly, came home one morning with a severe head injury.

In both cases, a vet found their injuries had been caused by air gun wounds.

Lauren told the Chronicle & Echo: "After we let Molly in one morning we found blood on the bed sheets and there was a ball-like shape under her skin. We took her to the vet and they found an air gun pellet by the base of her ear.

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"Three days later, I found Peanut dead by the base of my shed in the garden. I didn't know his owners at the time so I took him to the vets - when I checked with them later they said they had had to report it to the police.

The pellet removed from Molly the cat.The pellet removed from Molly the cat.
The pellet removed from Molly the cat.

"It was so upsetting to find him but when I found out he had been killed I was just so shocked. I've never been so angry."

Peanut's owners, Gareth Watson and Sarah Smith, only discovered what happened to their beloved pet after seeing a notice on a Brackley Facebook page.

Sarah told this newspaper: "I'm speechless. Peanut was six weeks old when I got him - it always felt like he chose me to be his mum.

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"I can't come to terms with it. I still expect him to be downstairs in the morning. He was always there for me."

Peanut the cat was found dead on the morning of January 18.Peanut the cat was found dead on the morning of January 18.
Peanut the cat was found dead on the morning of January 18.

Northamptonshire Police has confirmed both incidents.

An appeal has now been launched for more information behind the shootings.

Molly the cat was shot sometime between 7am on January 14 and 2pm on January 15 in the Somerville Road area.

Peanut the cat was shot and killed between 4pm on January 17 and the morning of January 18.

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.