ABU DHABI Thanks to the quick thinking of an Abu Dhabi resident and the doctors at the Australian Veterinary Hospital, a pet cat was able to keep his remaining eight lives.
Jack, an Arabian Mau cat, was found by his neighbour’s owner in Al Raha Gardens community on May 15 with a professional arrow impaled through his body.
Wasting no time, the Italian rushed the profusely bleeding animal to the Australian Veterinary Hospital in Khalifa City where doctors dislodged the arrow after a two-hour long life-saving surgery.
However, Jack is still in hospital and it will take another week to find out if he has suffered permanent vertebrae damage.
Radiographs show the arrow has crushed the 5th spinous process of the animal’s vertebrae.
Arrow removed
“The arrow entered his left caudal dorsal thorax and exited through his right forelimb scapular. He was placed on intravenous fluids and put under a general anaesthetic in order to cut the long part of the arrow. The arrow was removed, the wounds were sutured and he was placed on pain relief and antibiotics…,” reads a report by Dr. Fadi Daoud of Australian Veterinary Hospital
Jack’s South African owner Adele Bezuidenhout told XPRESS the police believed a teenager could be behind the attack. However, a police comment was not immediately available.
The arrow, a 60cm Blackhawk Vapor 3000 used in professional archery, has been given to the police for forensic investigations.
“I am shocked beyond disbelief. How can someone be so cruel,” said Bezuidenhout, who was not at home when the incident took place. “I can’t thank my neighbour enough for their quick action. They are just as devastated. The hospital too did a brilliant job saving Jack’s life. He is on antibiotics and recovering fast but still drags his feet while walking. It will take another week to rule out permanent damage to his vertebrae,” she added.
Recalling the incident, Bezuidenhout’s Italian neighbour said he was watching TV with his family around 9pm last Friday when they heard a yowl.
“We dashed out and saw Jack, lying on the floor with an arrow struck in his body. He was in a lot of pain. We took him to the hospital immediately.”
Animal activists have termed the attack barbaric and called for prompt action against the culprit.
“There are two issues here, one is the obvious cruelty inflicted on the animal and the other is the security risk in the community as it could well have been a child or a person injured by the arrow. The police needs to investigate the matter thoroughly and find the culprit,” said Lesley Muncey, chairperson, Feline Friends.
Peta Wittig, founder of Adopt-ME.ae, a not-for-profit website advertising animals for adoptions, said: “This is very scary and blatant animal cruelty. There is no excuse for this type of behaviour. Even if you don’t like cats or have issues with the neighbour’s pets, this is outright criminal. My thoughts are with Jack and his guardians and I really hope the culprit is caught and the laws on animal cruelty implemented.”
An Al Raha resident said: “This is not an accident. No one should be playing with weapons in a residential development. What if there was a child instead of Jack - not that this is any less a crime.”
In an email to XPRESS, Khidmah, the property manager of Al Raha Gardens, said: “We are aware of the unfortunate incident with a pet cat who is now back with his owner. The matter is being dealt with by the police and we are providing support with their enquiries.”
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