LAUNCESTON police are following specific lines of inquiry after the shooting of a pet cat in a family backyard on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bolt, a two-year-old cat, was shot between 8.30am and 10.30am in Lincoln Street, Kings Meadows.
Owner Chloe Freeman, 8, said she was sad and scared when she found out.
She wrote Bolt a ``get well'' card during his overnight stay at a veterinary clinic - the only night she has spent apart from her feline friend.
The cat barely moves and doesn't eat or drink, but Chloe is hopeful that he will improve.
``I got a bit teary,'' she said of her trip to visit Bolt at the clinic.
``I usually always see him and I gave him a little pat.''
Mrs Freeman, who expects to add to her family of four in six weeks, said the shooting was unbelievable and shocking.
She said that Bolt, a desexed cat, never travelled far, and the last time she saw him he was on the deck.
At first Mrs Freeman thought Bolt's bleeding was an accident from a sharp object, but when she took him to the vet she discovered otherwise.
``The vet said it could possibly be a slug pellet from an air rifle,'' she said.
``What disturbed me the most is that it was broad daylight.
``My kids play in the yard and someone is shooting an air rifle.
``I have told them not to go out there now.''
Senior Constable Steve Burton said police were following specific lines of investigation.
He urged anyone with information about the attack to call Launceston police headquarters on 6336 3701 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.