LAKE STEVENS — Hunter is an unusually loving cat who takes walks with the family and comes when he’s called. He has soft black and white fur and turned 1 in May.
Owner Tina Mercer is baffled as to why someone would shoot him twice with a bow and arrow.
Lake Stevens Police are asking for help finding who shot the cat. The injury was reported Sunday at the Crosswater development near Soper Hill Road. It might have occurred that day or the day before.
Mercer noticed Saturday night that Hunter, who roams the neighborhood but always comes home, hadn’t been seen for a few hours. She didn’t worry too much at first, she said. The next day, the family took a hike. When they returned Sunday evening, Hunter still wasn’t home and his food hadn’t been touched.
She and her sons walked around for hours looking for the cat.
Then, at about 10 p.m. Sunday, her 18-year-old son found Hunter in his cat bed with an arrow stuck in one leg.
“I can’t even wrap my head around it,” Mercer said. “It’s just so cruel. I just can’t believe that happened.”
She took Hunter to the Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle in Lynnwood. When the veterinarians examined him, they found he’d been shot twice. He had wounds in two legs and underwent two surgeries. They didn’t know at first if he would be OK.
“He’s doing much better now,” she said.
Hunter seems to be able to move his legs, so Mercer hopes there isn’t nerve damage. She expects to be able to bring him home this week.
“I hope that this person gets caught,” Mercer said. “I hope people are aware and can keep their pets safe.”
Police collected the 21-inch arrow as evidence. It appears to be associated with a hunting bow, police support officer Cindy Brooks said.
No similar incidents have been alleged, Brooks said. If the cat’s injuries are found to be intentional, the incident could be a potential case of first-degree animal cruelty, a felony.
As of Wednesday, tips were starting to come in, and more are sought, Brooks said.
“Any helpful information would be appreciated,” she said.
People can call the department at 425-334-9537.
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