Cat shot twice in three months

A vet took 45 minutes to remove a bullet lodged in the throat of Safa, who was shot near Safa Park by an unknown attacker with a pellet gun.

UAE - Dubai - Oct 27 - 2011:  Justine Lintott hold his cat named Safa at her villa. The cat that was shot at point blank range with an airgun. ( Jaime Puebla - The National Newspaper )
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DUBAI // A six-year-old cat has been shot in the face at close range for the second time in three months.

It was also the city's second recorded cat shooting this month.

A vet took 45 minutes to remove a bullet lodged in the throat of Safa, who was shot near Safa Park by an unknown attacker with a pellet gun.

"This is no coincidence," said Justine Lyntott, Safa's owner.

"After the first attack we found a mark on his cheek and when my husband David checked a pellet fell out. We think it's the same person."

Dr Max Spicer of The Veterinary Hospital in Al Quoz performed emergency surgery after the Lyntotts noticed their pet was bleeding from its nose, where the bullet had entered before going through the tongue and lodging in its throat.

Two weeks ago, a cat in Al Barsha named Mickey was shot 12 times to the skull, pelvis and legs. Mickey was also treated by Dr Spicer.

He described the similarities between Mickey and Safa's cases as "worrying".

"Last week a desert dog was brought in for an X-ray and we found 19 bullets lodged in its right leg from an attack that may have occurred more than a decade ago," Dr Spicer said.

"There could be more unidentified cases due to having no clinical signs such as the dog's case. If owners are suspicious, they should check their pets for small circular penetrations with bruising."

Mrs Lyntott said she had not reported the case to authorities yet as she did not know who to approach.

Adil Al Badri, the head of animal welfare at Dubai Municipality, said it was crucial for owners to file reports immediately.

"If a complaint is against an individual we also advise owners to go to the police because such cruel acts have legal repercussions," Mr Al Badri said.

Mrs Lyntott said Safa was home and recovering well. She said she planned to report the incident to authorities in the hopes of tracking down the attacker.

"These perpetrators are unaware of the value of life and lack compassion," Dr Spicer said. "In Islam and other religions, it's important to respect the life of animals.

"Such intent to kill … I cannot comprehend it."

* For more details or to report a case, call Dubai Municipality on 800900.