A NURSING female cat with four kittens who was shot in Ballymun and fractured its leg in a suspected related fall has had to have its leg amputated, the DSPCA has said.
The cat, named Allie by DSPCA staff, was shot with a pellet gun and brought to the animal charity in a bad way last month.
The disturbing incident is reminiscent of the controversial scene in the season three premiere of Love/Hate when a cat was gunned to death.
At the time animal rights groups criticised the graphic sequence in which a teenage thug was seen shooting the cat and then laughing about the incident with a pal.
Campaigners warned that the scene could spark off similar incidents but there’s no evidence the Ballymun shooting was inspired by the gangland series.
However, even DSPCA staff used to witnessing the end results of animal cruelty were alarmed when they saw Allie’s injuries.
“What was so upsetting the staff at the DSPCA was that she was a nursing mum with four kittens,
? said spokesperson Gillian Bird.
“She, along with her four kittens were brought into the DSPCA and were put in a foster home until the kittens were old enough to be rehomed.
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Despite losing a leg, Allie is now doing well in her foster home and will soon be available for adoption.
She’s one of 160 cats and kittens currently under the care of the DSPCA. The charity is looking for permanent and foster homes for them.