It should be called lucky - or perhaps unlucky.
An Oamaru cat is fast running out of its nine lives, having been shot four times in the past year.
The most recent attack occurred on Monday, when the feline was shot with an air rifle in the Salisbury Cres area.
Its owner took the wounded animal to Oamaru’s Veterinary Centre, where veterinarians removed the pellet.
Few details were known about the incident but the centre’s chief executive Jeff Spillane said the cat, which was returned to its owner yesterday, was doing ‘‘OK’’.
Oamaru police have confirmed the cat was shot twice in February and once last year.
It was the first cat shooting Mr Spillane had heard of in his eight years with the centre.
‘‘I think anyone that is aware that it has been shot would be a bit disturbed by the situation,’’ Mr Spillane said.
‘‘We know cats like to get out and about.
‘‘It’s probably just quite a unique and disturbing incident that hopefully ... whoever did it ceased doing it, stops, or is caught very soon.’’
Constable Sam Thompson, of Oamaru, said the cat’s owner, a young man, reported the latest incident occurred between 2pm and 3.30pm on Monday.
No other incidents of animals being shot in that area had been reported to police and there was no indication who was responsible.
• Police 105, Crimestoppers 0800 555-111.
