Coventry family 'devastated' as pet dies after being 'shot by air gun'

[dutchman]

Leah said her beloved pet Conte was found with serious injuries on Rotherham Road in Holbrooks



A Coventry family said they have been left 'devastated' after their beloved pet was shot and killed. Leah Holmes said their cat was found badly injured in Holbrooks.

Leah, 22, said her three-year-old cat Conte was roaming around the city when he was shot by an air gun and seriously injured. He was discovered on Rotherham Road at around 11.45pm on Sunday, November 3.

Conte was found 'crawling with his front paws and dragging his legs behind.' Leah said his pelvis had been 'shattered' which meant they had to put him to sleep, a decision she described as 'horrible.'

Speaking to CoventryLive, Leah said: “We got a call at 11.45pm on Sunday (November 3) that our cat had been in an accident, and we did not know what had happened. We were then told that he had been shot by an air rifle, and he unfortunately passed away.”

Leah said her family has been left 'devastated' following the death of Conte, who was described as being 'full of life.' She said: “He was so full of life, that is why we had to put him down because he would have been paralysed, and he would not have had a good life.”

She added: “We spent the whole day just crying, and I feel like it will just make us feel even a little bit better to find out who did it, but we are all devastated. I know cats die all the time, but to know that someone has gone out of their way intentionally and shot him is just awful.”

Police confirmed that they are investigating the incident and urged people who know who was behind the 'distressing' attack to get in touch with them by calling 101. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers.

In a statement to CoventryLive, West Midlands Police said: “We have carried out an investigation after we received a report of a cat which had been shot and unfortunately had to be put to sleep due to injuries sustained. We would appeal for anyone with any information to please contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 20/960184/24.”