Warning: Distressing content
A cat owner is “heartbroken” after her beloved pet Clyde died from being shot in the face in Mount Maunganui.
Rosalie Liddle Crawford, a Weekend Sun and Bay of Plenty Times reporter, said her beloved 3‑year‑old ragdoll, whom she had raised since he was six weeks old, was shot between 6pm on Monday and 6am Tuesday in the Pilot Bay area.
Clyde and Liddle Crawford’s other cat, Sushi, were normally waiting in the driveway on her return home, but Clyde failed to appear on Monday evening.
Liddle Crawford said at 6am on Tuesday, she saw a small shadow on the concrete outside the front door and realised it was Clyde. He was crouched down and not moving.
“At first, in the low light, I thought he had mud or dirt on his face. I bent down and picked him up, and he leaned back in my arms and started purring. His tail was gently waving.
“Once upstairs, I saw there was blood on his face and legs, and Clyde’s mouth was bloodied, and it looked like part of his lower jaw was torn. It was incredibly confronting.”
She wrapped Clyde in a towel and held him in her arms until the vet clinic opened.
“Clyde was quite relaxed and didn’t appear to be in pain.”
At Koru Vets, Clyde was immediately given pain relief and antibiotics.
“The vet told me he thought Clyde might have been hit by a car.”
This prompted Liddle Crawford to wonder what else may have caused Clyde’s injuries, and she remembered a threatening note that had been left in mailboxes around her neighbourhood in 2024.
The typed note stated: “If you own a white and/or black fluffy cat, please get it/them a litterbox, because if it/they poo on my lawn one more time, I will poison it/them.”
She said police described the note at the time as a “threat to harm offence”, but no one was identified.
On Tuesday morning, Liddle Crawford was “shocked” when the vet rang her telling her the X-rays showed Clyde had been shot with a gun, and had described the shooting as an act of animal cruelty.
“Incredibly, the bullet missed his vital organs but blew away part of his jaw on the right-hand side, and tore through his tongue.”
Clyde underwent extensive surgery on Tuesday, and the vet removed multiple pieces of shrapnel and part of his lower jaw, teeth and bone and repaired the injured tongue.
Liddle Crawford said learning what caused Clyde’s injuries was hard to process. She felt numb, but her main concern was for Clyde.
She said police were investigating the shooting and keeping in regular contact with her.
“The most distressing part of this is not knowing why someone would do this. I don’t feel anger or resentment towards them, but I’m deeply concerned and disturbed.
“If they had an issue with a cat on their property, they chose the worst possible way to deal with it. ”
She said the possibility that the threatening note and shooting were connected was frightening.
“If it’s the same person, it’s incredibly dangerous and cruel. Someone could very easily have been killed.
“I hope the police catch whoever did this quickly.”
Liddle Crawford said despite the veterinary team’s exhaustive efforts, Clyde had to be put to sleep on Thursday.
“Saying goodbye to him was heartbreaking and incredibly sad. Taking Sushi in to see her brother and watching the vet give Clyde that final injection was devastating.”
The veterinarian who treated Clyde, who asked not to be named, said this was “one of the worst injuries” she had seen in her career since graduating in 2017.
The vet said she and her colleagues were shocked that Clyde survived the shooting.
She said the bullet caused “catastrophic damage” to Clyde’s lower jaw, tongue, and part of his upper jaw.
“Clyde underwent intensive treatment and major reconstructive surgery, including removing one side of his lower jaw and repairing injuries to his tongue.
“Tragically, over the following days, it was clear that the injuries to his tongue and surrounding tissues were too severe to heal. The blood supply to the tongue was irreparably damaged, causing tissue death.”
This meant Clyde’s injuries were too great, so the decision was made to euthanise him.
“This case is deeply upsetting for everyone involved.
“It’s also quite frightening that someone could do this to an animal and sleep at night.”
SPCA inspectorate regional manager Jason Blair said the organisation was not aware of any recent incidents involving cats being shot in Mount Maunganui or other parts of Tauranga.
He said these offences were “treated seriously”, and maximum penalties included up to five years’ prison or a $100,000 fine.
Tauranga police Sergeant James Crean said “multiple lines” of inquiry were being explored, including looking into any available evidence or people who may be connected.
“We have conducted a scene examination, had discussions with residents, and reviewed some CCTV footage.“
He said police wanted to hear from anyone who may have relevant information or security camera footage.
He was not aware of any other related reports.
Crean asked anyone with information to get in touch by calling 105, quoting reference number 260513/6073.
Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 25 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.