Outrage over crossbow attack on kitten

A thug with a crossbow who attacked a kitten was being hunted by police in the North today.

The thug fired a six-and-a-half-inch bolt into the left eye of the cat near Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh.

It was over 48 hours before it was eventually found and taken in for emergency treatment.

Veterinary surgeon Chris Welsh of Erne Veterinary Group said: “The cat was very lucky. The bolt is reasonably heavy and I’m surprised it didn’t kill it.

“Although we couldn’t save the eye, it is recovering well.”

The kitten, named Lucky, is owned by an elderly grandmother and the attack left her shocked as the authorities face immediate demands to tighten up on controls concerning crossbow legislation in the North.

Under the Crossbow Northern Ireland Order 1988, it is an offence to sell or hire crossbows to anyone under the age of 17. It is also an offence for anyone under 17 to have a crossbow with them unless they are under the supervision of someone over 21.

Tom Elliot, Fermanagh and South Tyrone Ulster Unionist MLA, said he was appalled. Crossbow legislation, he said, should be brought into line with shotgun and rifle legislation. Currently crossbows are sold as archery equipment in shops and online.

He said: “Just imagine what damage such a device could cause to a child. It doesn’t bear thinking about. It is shocking that practically anyone can purchase crossbows. The possible consequences of their misuse surely means this issue has to be addressed."

The attack on the kitten comes just two days after a swan was found beheaded in north Belfast’s Alexandra Park. In October, a cat and a dog were beaten to death in separate incidents.