What price an animal’s life?

Hunter who killed pet cat pays £50 for shooting in a residential area

POLICE yesterday (30th Nov.) said they were looking into a case where a hunter deliberately killed a cat at short range, was caught red-handed and apparently then let off with a small fine.Outraged owner Susan Petrides told the Mail of the shocking incident, which took place last Sunday.“Hunters must pass by my house in Polis Chrysochous on their way to and from a nearby field they use. It was around 3pm when I heard tyres screech and a car pull up outside. “A group of three hunters were in the vehicle and one saw my pet cat lying under a tree. He pointed the barrel of his rifle out of the car window, took aim and let off a shot which hit Taz in the head.”She added that the “insane act of cruelty” was witnessed by her father and herself. “My husband and son got into a car and gave chase and they fortunately managed to catch them. Obviously very angry, my husband confronted them. “At first they denied it, then said it was only a cat and then pretty much threatened my husband with a shotgun, while screaming obscenities. They then drove off, refusing to return to our house.”According to Petrides, the police finally arrived after several phone calls and took a statement. “To our amazement though, we were told the hunter would only be fined around £50 for shooting in a residential area. There seemed to be no problem killing someone’s pet cat for the sheer fun of it.”Petrides added that one of the officers told her that there are too many stray cats around, implying that hers was also a stray, meaning the shooting was OK.“We were also told that pursuing the matter through the courts would be fruitless as it could take years and many court appearances.”A police spokeswoman said that according to the law, “any person found guilty of deliberately killing or causing injury to any animal faces up to one year in prison and/or a £1,000 fine. “Repeat offenders will have their punishment doubled.”Asked why the culprit in this case has apparently got off so lightly, the spokeswoman said the exact details of what happened were still being investigated and that she could make no further comment.Petrides stated that ironically, the day after the incident she had a visit from some officials questioning whether her dogs where licensed. “I’m now scared that a similar fate could befall my dogs.“Taz was part of my family for five years and I’m extremely upset over what has happened.“I also later found out that one of the hunters involved has a brother who works for the local police.”She went on to say that this is not the first time she has had problems with hunters in the area. “Earlier this year we had to call the police after hunters started shooting within metres of the house. Of course, nobody ever turned up and we were told that the police aren’t just sitting around waiting for our phone calls.”She also said that other households nearby bear the scars of stray shot and ricochets but complaints always fall on deaf ears.

(By Leo Leonidou, Cyprus Mail)