The blood-curdling screams chilled the 62-year-old to the bone. In early August 2026, when Christian P. found his snow-white cat, Angel, on his property in Bad Bevensen, Germany, it was immediately clear that something terrible had happened.
The seven-year-old outdoor cat was howling in pain. For the 62-year-old pensioner, that Thursday marked the beginning of a true nightmare.
A terrifying diagnosis at the veterinary clinic
Without a second thought, the pensioner rushed Angel to the veterinary clinic in Lüneburg. To determine the exact cause of his injuries, the medical team took a special X-ray of his skull straight away.
It was only when they looked at the screen that the full extent of the horror was revealed: a heavy crossbow bolt was lodged right between the feline's eyes, piercing through his head and jaw...
No way to save the white cat
To spare the seven-year-old animal any further intolerable suffering, the hardest decision of all had to be made: Angel had to be put to sleep. "I didn't want the animal to suffer," confies his owner.
It was a massive shock for Christian P. Since then, the disturbing images have kept him awake at night and have even forced him to see a doctor. "As soon as I close my eyes, I see it all over again," he explained in an interview with the NDR television channel.
The loss has been unbearable for him. Angel had lived with him for about two and a half years. The cat was "an absolute sweetheart" and would run to his owner as soon as he was called.
Alongside his immense grief, a very real anxiety has set in, as his little Yorkshire Terrier also roams the garden. Did the white cat simply attract a shooter's attention because of his conspicuous coat, or was he targeted deliberately by a ruthless individual?
For now, the police have ruled out any link to another recent crossbow incident in the Lüneburg district.
The hunt for the shooter is on
As the sale of this type of weapon is unrestricted in Germany, the incident has sparked deep concern throughout the neighbourhood. However, the shocked owner is not giving up: he has offered a €1,000 reward from his own pocket and distributed flyers to find the culprit.
Since then, an initial witness has come forward. According to them, they are not acting for the money, but solely out of a desire for justice.
The police have launched an investigation into violations of the Animal Welfare Act. One question remains: who could have done this to Angel?
Translated from the DE Wamiz website using artificial intelligence
