Cat survives assault, which involved falling from high post
A truly ‘shaggy dog’ story has emerged from a luxury resort in Tróia (Alentejo). It involves a renowned surgeon, a neighbour’s cat, an airgun and a lot of emotion.
Topping the drama is the fact that the surgeon – now identified for animal mistreatment – goes by the Portuguese name for a ‘bird’, or rather a ‘little bird’ (passarinho).
According to Correio da Manhã tabloid, orthopedic surgeon Manuel Passarinho “known for curing the lesion of Santomean-born former world champion Portuguese judoka Jorge Fonseca”, shot his neighbour’s cat twice, and then pulled her down from a post up which she had fled by her tail – causing the animal to fracture one of her paws.
“The facts occurred on August 24, on the touristic complex of Soltroia” near Grândola, explains the paper.
“GNR police received a complaint that a cat had been hit by shots from an air gun. On arrival (at the scene), agents did not find the animal: its owner had taken it to the veterinarian hospital. But witnesses pointed the finger at Manuel Passarinho, saying they had seen the doctor take at least one shot at the cat, and because of this it had sought refuge at the top of a post.
“The witnesses affirmed that Manuel Passarinho had climbed up to the animal, and that he pulled her tail, causing her to fall from a considerable height. The cat broke a paw.
“Contacted by CM, Manuel Passarinho said he was “shooting cans at home, with family, when the cat entered (his) property, pursued by (his) granddaughter’s dog.
“I tried to catch her, but she scratched me”, he is understood to have told police. “I thought she was a stray cat and fired.
“I climbed the post to get her down. I was bitten and scratched, and the animal fell.
“I have already apologised to the owner”.
CM’s report goes on to say that Manuel Passarinho, part of the exclusive CUF medical network, said his grandchildren were “in panic”, starting to cry “from a lot of fear”. It is unclear whether they were afraid of the cat (which, must itself have been terrified – first to have been chased by a dog, then fired at, then pulled down from a high post) or afraid of something else.
The paper says the surgeon has assured both it and the cat’s owner that he will pay all veterinary costs resulting from this debacle.
But what the story also highlights is the alacrity with which police now appear to move in situations of perceived animal cruelty.
All in all, it was a complicated day at the sunblessed touristic resort of Soltroia, but all involved survived.
natasha.donn@portugalresident.com
