A recent visit to the vet showed that Jan Rankin’s cat Max has been shot by a BB gun as pellets were discovered in his body after an X-ray. Photo submitted
Ladner’s Jan Rankin is still trying to comprehend what would possess someone to shoot her cat with a BB gun.
When her cat Max recently stopped eating, drinking and cuddling, Rankin took him to the vet thinking something could be wrong.
“They thought he might have a blockage, so they took an X-ray and they found two BB pellets in him,” Rankin recalled. “Clearly someone shot him because there is no other way for the pellets to get into his body.”
She said she has no idea when Max was shot.
“It could have been last month or last week because there was nothing obvious – no signs of distress,” she said. “I was really upset that someone had shot my cat and that I didn’t know that. I’m fortunate my cat didn’t suffer or that he didn’t get hit in the eye or in the head.”
Earlier this week, Rankin posted a message on the Ladner’s Landing Facebook group about her experience.
The post has generated lots of discussion – support and hopes for a speedy recovery for Max - but also general outrage and frustration that someone in the community would commit such a callous and heartless act.
“Really I wanted to post as a warning to others. People should know that you have to watch out. The vet says this happens more than you know,” she said. “It’s disturbing. We live in a safe neighbourhood, lots of kids playing in the area and other cats running around. Max is an indoor/outdoor pet and very friendly. I’ve always been worried about raccoons. I never thought I would have to worry about someone taking pot shots at pets.”
Rankin added that Max is doing much better and is on the road to recovery.
