Conn. Mayor Rescues Cat Used For Target Practice, Shot By Arrow

NORWICH, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- One cat in Connecticut has eight lives left.

The animal, which officials believe was used for target practice, survived being shot by an arrow.

Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom was campaigning for re-election on Monday when he said he found the cat on a house porch.

The cat named "Elliot" was shot with a 15-inch arrow.

Nystrom called police and an animal control officer took the cat to Dr. Kathleen Tangari, a veterinarian at All Friends Animal Hospital.

Tangari said the arrow missed the cat's jugular vein, lungs and heart.

It's likely the arrow had been in the cat for about two days, Tangair said.

The tissue surrounding the arrow started to harden and sealed off blood vessels, likely preventing Elliot from bleeding to death, Tangair said.

Elliot may have long-term nerve damage to his front limbs, Tangair said.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories:

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)