AR-News: (TN - US) Cat has eyes shot by air rifle at close range

[Snugglezzz at aol.com]

National animal cruelty prevention group helps out locally

 By MELISSA N. WARREN / Review Appeal Staff Reporter

A national animal abuse prevention group is offering a reward of up to $2,500 
for information regarding a local cruelty case.

“PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) believes that other 
animals in the area — and even human residents — may be in danger as long as the 
person or persons who committed this crime are at large,” the group said.

The act that has PETA’s hair raised involves a short-haired female black cat 
named “Midnight.” The cat went missing for two weeks before it was discovered 
April 27 on Cavalcade Drive in the Fieldstone Farms subdivision. Midnight’s 
eyes were a shocking color of red and were leaking fluid as a result of being 
shot with an air rifle at close range.

“The shot went through her ear and lodged right here under her left eye,” 
said a staff member at Animal Ark Hospital, the clinic the cat was taken to 
after being picked up by Williamson County Animal Control. “They also shot her 
directly in her right eye and again in her back.”

Midnight’s eyes were surgically removed and sewn shut by Drs. Paul Newman and 
Paula Schuerer. The cat is now back in the care of her 9-year-old owner and 
is learning how to navigate life as a blind animal.

“She’s just incredible,” an Ark staff member said. “The first day, she was 
walking around and you wouldn’t know she couldn’t see. She jumps up to a 
counter after she puts her paw up there and feels how high it is.”

PETA is offering the $2,500 for any information leading to the arrest and 
conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime. In addition to PETA
’s plea for help, there is also a $1,000 reward from a Nashville businessman 
who was disturbed by the story.

Anyone with information is urged to call WCAC officer Valerie Clark at 
790-5590.

Staff Reporter Melissa N. Warren can be contacted at 
melissa at reviewappeal.com.



    
    
    


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