Pet Cat Found Shot Dead Near Home, Family 'Utterly Devastated'

Police were investigating a case of animal cruelty after a family cat was found shot dead in Kilkeel, Ireland, on Monday.

Speaking to Belfast Live on Monday, Grace Newell, the owner of the cat, said she found the feline, named Simba, dead, 40 feet from the back door of their home Monday morning. She sent her children to school telling them that the cat was “asleep.”

"I found Simba lying dead less than 40 feet from our back door. I had to send my three children to school letting on she was asleep. I thought she had maybe been hit by a car and was trying to make her way home but when we lifted her we knew that wasn't the case. The vet confirmed that she had been shot. Now shooting a cat, a child's pet and family member is bad enough but to do so basically outside the back door where they were playing a few hours before is just vile and irresponsible,” Newell said.

"All three of my children were attached but Tessa who is 4 even more so. She was her only friend this past while, Tessa had no real friends through play school as she had a hearing problem and had trouble socializing due to it, she is in pieces and all three are utterly devastated. I'm sure whoever it was, had a good and restful sleep last night after getting their thrill fix. I am not daft and I am fully aware they will most likely not be caught but I hope the vile scumbag gets a chance to read this,” she added.

A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland appealed to witnesses to come forward in order to help them catch the culprit.

"A local resident woke up today to find their pet cat had been shot and died during the night. Did you notice anything suspicious? Do you have any CCTV or dash cam footage? Please help us with any information you may have by calling 101,” the spokesperson said.