Injured Tabby’s Horrific Ordeal
Hazel, a beloved tabby from Yateley, returned home on 19th February with her face covered in blood and a painful, bleeding left eye. Initially thought to have suffered an accident, Hazel was rushed to an out-of-hours vet and then to an eye specialist in Basingstoke.
The shocking cause? A ball bearing lodged in her eyeball – a cruel projectile fired from a catapult. The injury left Hazel permanently blinded in that eye, forcing vets to remove it to ease her suffering.
Worrying Spike in Catapult Crime
Hazel is the latest victim in a series of violent attacks in Yateley. At least two other cats and several local wildlife have been targeted by catapult users, who have also caused damage to homes and vehicles.
Hazel’s family said:
“We thought she might have caught her eye on a twig. But vets soon discovered bruising, and then the awful truth – she’d been shot. The vet said the projectile was massive. Hazel is tiny, not even 4kgs. My parents are devastated and appalled someone could be so callous.”
Police Crackdown Underway
The issue isn’t new. Last July, two Egyptian geese were found injured after being shot with a catapult, and three youths were reported firing at wildlife.
PC Ben Blundell of Yateley Police said:
“We’re focusing on cracking down on catapult use in Yateley and Darby Green, especially where wildlife crimes are concerned.”
Catapults: Dangerous Weapons with Serious Penalties
- Catapults are classified as offensive weapons in the UK when carried without good reason or used to injure people, animals, or property.
- Offenders face up to four years in prison for possession, and up to ten years for criminal damage.
- Harming protected wildlife with a catapult breaches animal welfare laws and can lead to hefty jail terms.
Police urge anyone with information on offenders or suspicious catapult use to call 101 immediately. For anonymous tips, ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use their online reporting form.
Don’t let our local pets and wildlife suffer in silence.
