'Panic' for Kingussie owners after crossbow attack on cat
Police Scotland is appealing for help with its investigation into a savage crossbow attack this week on a 12-year-old ginger tom in Kingussie.
The pet's owner, Jack McLean, told the Strathy: "All the cat owners in this area now are in a bit of a panic, knowing that someone that cruel could have done this to my Nuke.
"He went missing for a day or two so I just left the back door open for him. And then yesterday morning he just appeared in the dog's basket, sleeping.
"I thought he'd got a leaf or something stuck in his fur and when I took a closer look I was horrified to see it was the flight of an arrow.
"It meant an instant call to the vet!"
Mr McLean rang Aviemore but was told they didn't have the facilities for such an operation and referred him to Grantown's surgery.
"They were brilliant," he said, "and knew just how serious the situation was.
"We all thought the arrow must have gone through some vital organs but, astonishingly, they found it had missed them.
"There was no blood on Nuke, not even dried blood.
"Also, it came out easily, they said, and today he is stable and they're keeping a very close check on him."
Nuke was so-called by his owner after proving "quite handful when a kitten, he was a 100 miles an hour and into everything!
"But he's calmed down over the years and is very lovable. I just can't wait to get him home.
"He might feel differently when he does get back, not knowing why he's hardly ever allowed out.
"A lot of other owners are telling me they're keeping their pets at home until whoever did this is tracked down.
"I know there are many people here with an idea of who it was and they are helping the police."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 4pm on Friday we received a report that a cat had been seriously injured by a crossbow.
“The cat was found by its owner in the Orchard Court area of Kingussie and the incident was believed to have happened earlier this week.
“Enquiries are ongoing.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 2421 of 22 July, 2022."
