COUNTY NEWS: Cat named after Arnold Schwarzenegger survives being shot for a second time

A pet cat named after Arnold Schwarzenegger has proved to be every bit as tough as his action star namesake by surviving being shot for a second time.
Three-year-old Arnold is 'having to learn how to be a cat again', his upset owners saidThree-year-old Arnold is 'having to learn how to be a cat again', his upset owners said
Three-year-old Arnold is 'having to learn how to be a cat again', his upset owners said

But the hardy three-year-old feline has had to have one of its legs amputated after being struck in the chest by a round from a hunting rifle.

Despite his injuries, brave Arnold somehow managed to drag himself back to his Barnham home.

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His owners, Leah and Allen Elphick, suspect the shooting may have been deliberate.

Three-year-old Arnold is 'having to learn how to be a cat again', his upset owners saidThree-year-old Arnold is 'having to learn how to be a cat again', his upset owners said
Three-year-old Arnold is 'having to learn how to be a cat again', his upset owners said

Leah, 30, said: “We came home from a holiday in France and saw him lying on the chair looking like he was asleep.

“I went up to say hello and could tell straight away there was something wrong with his leg.

“We took him to the emergency vet but it wasn’t until we got the results of the X-Ray that we found out he’d been shot again.

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“We were just shocked because exactly the same thing happened two years ago.”

The latest X-Ray shows the shattered shoulder and leg, as well as shrapnel from both shootingsThe latest X-Ray shows the shattered shoulder and leg, as well as shrapnel from both shootings
The latest X-Ray shows the shattered shoulder and leg, as well as shrapnel from both shootings

Unlike last time when the bullet passed straight through him, this time it entered his chest, shattered his shoulder and ricocheted into his right leg, where it became lodged.

The vet had no choice but to amputate last Thursday, and though Arnold is recovering well at home, the ordeal has left everyone scarred.

“We are very angry,” said Allen, 28. “He’s one of the family and our ten-year-old boy is really upset and struggling to understand why anyone would want to shoot his pet.

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“Either someone’s seen him and shot him deliberately, or they haven’t seen him and it was an accident.

Owners Leah and Allen from Barnham suspect the shooting was deliberateOwners Leah and Allen from Barnham suspect the shooting was deliberate
Owners Leah and Allen from Barnham suspect the shooting was deliberate

“Either way it’s irresponsible and that person shouldn’t be allowed to have a licence.”

The couple back onto a number of fields and they questioned if people should be allowed to shoot in an area where children play.

“He’s named after Arnold Schwarzenegger, our favourite action movie hero and he’s certainly living up to his name,” Leah said.

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“He’s a real character, all the kids love him and take selfies with him.”

She added: “We can’t work out if he’s the unluckiest cat in the world for getting shot twice, or the luckiest for surviving twice.”

Although police did carry out initial investigations, the couple said they were told there was nothing more that could be done without any concrete evidence on who carried out the shooting.

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