One pet cat has been put down and another had its leg shattered in two separate shooting incidents at Altona North last week.
Both cats were shot in Millers Road near Blackshaws Road.
The first cat was euthanased after being shot twice in the abdomen with a BB gun.
Veterinarian Philippa Molnar said the cat was brought in last Wednesday with a bullet still lodged inside. She urged people to be aware and report any incidents to police.
The second cat, also shot twice, had its right femur blown apart but has been saved.
Veterinary surgeon Nadia Wong said the cat was brought in on Thursday and surrendered by his owner.
The cat has been renamed Mr BB.
“He presented limping and X-rays showed that he had a right femur that’s been blown apart, bullet fragments in the right femur and also a bullet trapped in his left leg,” Ms Wong said.
“There is no telling for sure that we can save his leg, but surgery was performed the next day at a Point Cook veterinary clinic where I was working.
“He’s in pretty bad shape, but as far as I know he’s stable and the surgery was successful. He’s using his leg.
“In his case, he’s had an external fixator, or external pin, put in. But when we talk about orthopedic treatment on legs, particularly when they’ve been smashed up and there’s still bullet fragments inside that we can’t remove, it’s a matter of will the leg get better before the implant fails or will the implant fail before the leg gets better.”
A Victoria Police spokesman said the perpetrator could face multiple charges on top of aggravated cruelty.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 300 000.
