A Wake County family is looking for answers after reporting that their cat was shot about a week ago in Raleigh.
Cheryl Privette said her family adopted Henry, a tuxedo cat, five years ago. According to Privette, Henry did not enter the house when he went missing on April 11.
Privette informed WRAL News that she had left the garage door open in case he returned. In the morning, Privette discovered the cat inside.
“I kind of had to pick him up and get him in the house. And he just plopped down. And then I looked and I had blood on my hand,” Privette said.
Privette claimed she took Henry to the animal hospital. The next day, staff at the hospital informed her that he had been shot.
“I just broke down crying,” Privette said. “I could not believe that somebody would shoot Henry.”
The gunfire caused damage to Henry’s back legs and claws, as well as fluid in his lungs. The damage caused by the bullet, which Privette claims is still within Henry, could cost more. The family stated that they had already spent over $6,000 on Henry’s medical care but had to take him out of the animal hospital because they could not afford to keep him.
“There was no way that we could afford a $8,000 or $10,000 surgery on top of what we have already spent,” Privette told me.
The family told WRAL News that they filed a report with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and contacted animal control.
As of Thursday night, there were no suspects.
“We are working with Animal Control to evaluate the circumstances and determine the appropriate next steps in the investigation,” the Wake County Sheriff’s Office told WRAL News.
Privette hopes the gunman is apprehended soon so her family may feel comfortable in their house again. Anyone with information about Henry’s shooting should contact the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.
