A POWYS mum who took her poorly pet cat to the vets was appalled to discover she required an amputation – due to reportedly being shot.

Nala, an 18-month-old European shorthair Dawn Clarke and her family took in around a year ago, was nursing her leg on Monday [September 13], so Dawn hurriedly took her to her veterinary surgery, Ddole Road Veterinary Clinic, in Llandrindod Wells. An X-ray was immediately ordered as the vet suspected Nala had suffered a broken leg. But, it wasn’t until receiving a call from the practice later in the day that the true horror of the incident came to light. Nala’s leg was described as “shattered” – likely caused by a gun pellet – and vets told her the best way forward for Nala was to have her leg amputated.

In a post shared on various local pages on Facebook regarding the incident, Dawn said: “Today has been one of the most shocking days I've ever had.

“Nala was holding her leg up so I took her to the vets this morning. He straight away said it needs an X-ray as he thinks its broken, so I left her and waited for the phone call from them to say what the damage was. I never expected to hear them tell me our beautiful family cat has been shot.

“Her leg is shattered and the best way forward for her is to have it amputated. This has been reported to the police and if anyone knows anything please let me or the police know.”

County Times: Nala, with Dawn's daughter Cara-Mae Nala, with Dawn's daughter Cara-Mae

Dawn, who lives in the Oaklands Crescent area of Builth, said she had been shocked by the number of messages she’d received from people since the incident informing her this sort of incident was common.

“One lady has messaged to say her cat was shot today as well and is being treated in Builth,” said an angry Dawn. “Nala is around 18 months old so is still only a baby.”

Nala was adopted aged just six months, joining the family after they got her from a lady in Llanigon, near Hay-on-Wye, who had herself rescued Nala from Romania about a month earlier.

Dawn confirmed that she’d reluctantly consented to the amputation with the surgery and that Nala, a tortoiseshell colour, was due to have her right hind leg amputated today (Tuesday).

“I have agreed with the vet to have it amputated as the leg is shattered and having it pinned could result in her struggling for months trying to heal,” added Dawn.

“But the process to heal (from the amputation) is a lot quicker for her. Also, having it pinned, the leg might not heal properly and could still end up needing to be amputated. It’s her back right leg.

“They said it looks like a pellet but it can't be confirmed until she has the operation later.

“We live over on Oaklands Crescent, I don't know how far she ventures off during the day but she always comes and greets us when we pull up so I wouldn't think she went too far.”

Dawn contacted Dyfed Powys Police about the incident and you can too if you know any information. Ring 101 or report it online at https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/; quoting REF: DP-20210913-200.