Cat killed by being shot in the head with air rifle

A couple are devastated after their pet cat died after being shot in the head with an air rifle.
The x-ray shows the true extent of Cuillin's injuriesThe x-ray shows the true extent of Cuillin's injuries
The x-ray shows the true extent of Cuillin's injuries

Rochelle Mill (24), of Bo’ness, was horrified when her six-year-old feline Cuillin came home with a small hole in his head.

She said: “At first we noticed he had a bloody nose then I saw the pellet-sized hole above his eye. We immediately took him to the emergency vets and they said they couldn’t feel any pellet in Cuillin’s head so we took him home.”

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However, two weeks later the feline was violently sick and acting strangely. This time at the vets an x-ray discovered the true extent of the cat’s injuries.

Cuillin was a very distinctive catCuillin was a very distinctive cat
Cuillin was a very distinctive cat

The pellet had split into two and one piece was lodged in his brain. The cat underwent emergency surgery, but vets were able to remove only one of the pieces.

Cuillin never recovered from his injuries and the family pet died a few days later.

Rochelle said: “The whole thing has made me sick to my stomach. My husband and I are heartbroken that Cuillin has died, especially from being shot in the head.”

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The couple recently moved to their home in Muirhouses and had reservations about letting their cat roam outside.

Cuillin was a very distinctive catCuillin was a very distinctive cat
Cuillin was a very distinctive cat

Rochelle said: “He was very distinctive so we thought he may have attracted a lot of attention and we were worried about letting him go outside. However, I never thought something like this would happen.”

The couple have contacted the police and Rochelle said: “We just hope anyone who knows anything will come forward.”

A police spokesman said: “Police in Forth Valley received a report on April 10 that a cat had been shot with a pellet gun. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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