Cat is shot eight times

9:06am Wednesday 21st July 2004

A MAN who shot his own cat eight times has escaped jail after receiving a "disgraceful" 80-hour community punishment order.

When six-year-old moggy Sweep was recovered by RSPCA officers, her eyeball was filled with blood but x-rays revealed six air-rifle pellets lodged in the cat's skull and two in her body.

Nigel Gardiner, aged 36, of Mottingham Road, Eltham, admitted lashing out at the cat on December 12 last year at a hearing at Greenwich Magistrates' Court.

Gardiner, of Mottingham Road, Eltham, claimed as he fed the cat it went berserk.

He began to worry for his safety and reached for an air rifle he kept in his living room and shot the animal.

The court heard Gardiner then re-loaded the single pellet rifle a further seven times and repeatedly shot the cat.

Celia Hammond, of the Celia Hammond Cat Sanctuary in Lewisham, said: "It is disgraceful. His actions warrant a prison sentence and a life ban.

"People who are cruel to animals often go on to be cruel to children and most serial killers begin that way.

"Anyone capable of doing this is capable of anything. What will happen after his community punishment is over?"

RSPCA Inspector Nigel Peake found out about the attack on the cat from an anonymous caller who had seen the injured animal.

He visited the initially uncooperative Gardiner, who was arrested on January 14 and taken to Bromley police station.

At a July 13 hearing Gardiner was sentenced to 80 hours' community punishment and banned from keeping pets for 10 years.

Inspector Peake said: "Gardiner caused great suffering to this animal.

"To reload seven times makes this a more severe incident.

"We're pleased with this result on such a serious matter and are happy he received a long ban."

Sweep lost an eye in the attack but has now fully recovered and has a new home.

Do you think the punishment for harming animals should be more severe? Write to News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, Kent, BR5 1BT.