Anger and heartbreak after cat shot at Wigan beauty spot

Two-year-old Paddy, returned home last Saturday morning with injuries that were so severe, vets told his owners that putting him to sleep would be kinder than any quality of life if he survived an operation.

The attack occurred in Elnup Wood, a popular trail and walking area between Shevington, Standish and Crooke, last weekend.

After being rushed to the vets, Paddy’s owner Christine was told that Paddy had been shot by a pellet gun, and had suffered “extensive” injuries.

Christine, 60, said: “My husband was speaking to someone at the front door, and Paddy came up the footpath. My husband could see he was injured and wasn’t walking properly.

“We brought him in the house and straight away could see his leg was hanging. We thought possibly he’d broken his leg or maybe a dog had attacked him.

“He had blood on his lower back. We rang the vets straight away and took him up there.

“After doing some X-rays, they told us it was an extensive injury to his back leg. They could have tried amputation, but with him being a young cat he would have to adapt. There was no guarantee that they could save him, and they didn’t know what other damage they would find.

“They said the kindest thing would be to euthanise him, so that’s what we did.”

Christine and her husband buried Paddy in their back garden.

Christine added: “Elnup Wood has been so popular because of lockdown. It is quite an extensive wood.

“There are a lot of people coming from all different areas, lots of families and people with dogs. If somebody is using a pellet gun in the woods, somebody could get hurt.”

The heartbreaking news attracted condolences and anger in equal measure on social media.

One person said: “Absolutely disgusting excuses for human beings... How on earth can they sleep at night doing that to a poor defenceless pet... makes me physically sick.”

Another commented: “That is awful and totally heartbreaking, I walked through there this morning with my dogs... I am so sorry that you have been subjected to something like this ... what kind of person does such evil things to a small, defenceless animal?”

“What awful news. The ability of some people to be so vicious and cruel no longer surprises me. My heartfelt sympathies. Poor little guy.”

Information can be passed to Greater Manchester Police on 101 or, alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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