Cat shot with arrow found in California, treated in Peters Township
A stray cat found shot with an arrow sticking through its abdomen Tuesday morning behind a home on California Drive in California was resting comfortably Wednesday following surgery, but doctors said infection remains a concern.
The female cat arrived around 11 a.m. Tuesday at University Veterinary Specialists on Route 19 in Peters Township, where doctors observed the blunt-tipped arrow going through its torso, perforating the colon.
According to a UVS spokesperson, the cat seemed comfortable and was even purring when it arrived at the hospital.
Dr. Dimitri Brown, a UVS veterinarian, and Kym Secreet, animal control officer, agreed that the act was intentional.
“We can’t be sure and can only take a guess,” said AJ Owen, social media and marketing manager at UVS. “Dr. Brown said it looks to be intentional because you have to be at an extremely close range for a blunt-tipped arrow to travel the entire way through the body.”
“It’s pretty obvious it was intentional,” said Secreet, who was called to pick up the cat after a man leaving his home found it and called Washington County 911.
The successful two-and-a-half hour surgery Tuesday afternoon included the removal of the cat’s large bowel; however, post-operation concerns persist.
“She is going to be under 24-hour watch for about five days or so, which is our biggest worry right now,” said Owen. “Any contents within the colon could cause an infection. We don’t know how long the arrow was embedded in her.”
UVS is continuing to receive calls offering both donations and adoption opportunities for the cat, who will be placed with Washington Area Humane Society following recovery.
Borough police and humane society officials were not immediately available to comment.