The Star: June 20, 2019

The Star Thursday June 20 2019
Bullets hit Riko; list grows
• By Sophie Cornish
ANOTHER CAT has been
shot with a rifle in a growing
residential area on the outskirts
of Christchurch.
SPCA spokeswoman Jessie
Gilchrist said three shootings
in the past three years in the
Prebbleton area suggest the incidents
may be linked.
Hodgens Rd residents Cody
Hayton and Emilia Petronelli
have paid more than $2500 in vet
bills to treat Riko, who was shot
multiple times on June 10.
The couple arrived home from
work to find him completely
covered in blood.
“He had a wound on the side
of his stomach, his right paw
was really badly mangled and
his eye was probably the worst
of the three injuries,” said Miss
Petronelli.
During surgery, vets found a
puncture in Riko’s eyeball and
his eye had to be removed.
Judging by the bullet
extracted, they were told the
weapon was most likely a .22
calibre rifle or bigger.
SPCA and police are investigating
the incident.
Senior Sergeant Pete Stills said
a person had been spoken to in
relation to the shootings but no
one has been charged yet.
Said SPCA spokeswoman
Jessie Gilchrist: “There were
three jobs in Prebbleton reported
in the last three years. The
locations of these incidents could
possibly suggest that there is a
link.”
Meanwhile, Adam Leatherhead
said his family, including
his two daughters, age 11 and
13-years-old, are still impacted
by the loss of their cat, Midnight,
after he was shot on two separate
occasions. In January 2017, twoyear-old
Midnight was shot with
a .22 calibre bullet and his back
left leg was amputated
Almost a year later, Midnight
was shot again, this time in his
front left leg. He had to be put
down.
“I don’t think the kids ever got
over it . . . it’s had a real impact
UPSET:
Cody
Hayton
and
Emilia
Petronelli
with Riko
after
he had
surgery to
remove
an eye.
PHOTO:
MARTIN
HUNTER
on us. It’s exceptionally upsetting,”
said Mr Leatherhead.
Mr Leatherhead said the vet
bills as a result of the shootings
were close to $2000.
Also living nearby is Kirsty
Sewell and her family, whose
cat Kylo was shot in the leg in
November.
“He’s still got his leg and he is
absolutely fine. It cost $4000 in
vet bills though.”
“It’s horrible, I wish they
would catch whoever it is. I’d
like them to pay for the vet bills,”
said Mrs Sewell.
•Want to help Riko?
Make a donation at https://
givealittle.co.nz/cause/rikothe-pirate-cat
New zones to inspire
AS THE WAY we live changes,
so too does The Star Home and
Living Show – it is keeping up
to date with latest design and
technology.
Events manager Lisa Lynch
says she is excited about two
new zones which have been
created for this year’s event that
will inspire and hopefully get
people motivated about the way
they live.
“The Innovative Living
Zone switches thinking – not
just planning your space, but
planning how you wish to feel in
your space,” she says.
“It will showcase the latest in
modern, urban, cosmopolitan home
and landscape designs to transform
your space – inside and out.”
This zone will include an
interactive, innovative living
design area, where you can sit
and have a coffee and be
inspired by new and creative
ideas for your home, by talking to
the specialists about your dreams.
The Eco Zone will showcase
everything you need to know
about sustainable living. Here
you will find a range of ideas you
CONCEPTS: The
Innovation Living
Zone will feature
at The Star Home
and Living Show at
Horncastle Arena
this month.
PHOTO: MAYFAIR
PARK LANDSCAPES
can introduce into your home to
make it more environmentally
friendly.
“We have self-watering
vegepods, synthetic grass, solar
technologies and of course
electric vehicles with the chance
of one lucky attendee driving
away in a free EV car worth
$44,000.”
The Star Home and Living
Show will be held from 10am
to 5pm at the Horncastle Arena
from Friday, June 28, to Sunday,
June 30.
•Turn to page 26 for a
free entry voucher for you
and a friend.
Take
Several BBQs
Add Egos + Shoe
shop + 3 couples
Place them all in a
cul de sac
Add 1 flamboyant
lady
What do you
have?
DESPERATE
HUTTWIVES
“YOU CAN’T BEAT
KIWI CREATIVE
TALENT.”
- Craig Hutchison,
Director and Producer
CAS’n’OVA PRODUCTIONS
BOOK ONLINE NOW www.casnova.co.nz