CHRISTOPHER BOSWELL THE CAMBRIDGE CAT HUNTER WHO SHOT SIAMESE KITTEN WITH AIR RIFLE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the residents of Cambridge, Christopher Boswell, a man known locally as a 'cat hunter,' was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. The incident took place on Eden Street, where Boswell, born around 1973, shot a white Siamese kitten named Pia with an air rifle, leading to severe injuries and a lengthy legal process.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2017, Cambridge Magistrates' Court heard how Boswell, who had a long history of hunting cats since he was 17 years old, pleaded guilty to the charge. The court was told that the 73-year-old had shot Pia twice—once in the head and once in the body—and then left her in a neighbor's garden. The kitten, valued at approximately £450, belonged to Caroline King, a resident of Cambridge. Ms. King recounted that she noticed her beloved pet was missing from her garden around 7:20 pm on April 7, 2017. When she approached Boswell about her missing cat, he shockingly revealed that he had been hunting cats for decades.

According to Ms. King, Boswell confessed: “I don’t like cats, I hate them. They are a menace to wildlife and birds.” She asked if he was joking, but he responded coldly, “No, I’ve shot it twice—once in the head, once in the body—and I have put it in the neighbour’s garden. You had better knock on their door.”

Ms. King then went to her neighbor’s garden and found Pia lying motionless on the ground, showing no signs of movement. The injuries inflicted by the air rifle pellets were catastrophic; one pellet tore through Pia’s windpipe, while the other shattered her femur. The damage was so severe that Pia required amputation of her right leg. The veterinary bills for her treatment amounted to over £5,168, as she was rushed to a veterinary hospital in Cambridge and remained there for more than a week.

In her victim impact statement, Ms. King expressed her devastation and horror at the incident. She said, “I feel devastated and horrified and cannot fathom why somebody I do not know would carry out such an act. I cannot believe Chris would be so calm and calculated over what he has done as if he got some enjoyment from it—he did not have to tell us and could have chosen to remain quiet.”

Following his initial sentencing, concerns were raised by a neighbor who suggested Boswell might be responsible for the disappearance of between 12 and 20 cats over the past five years in the area. This suspicion added a layer of unease among residents, who feared that Boswell’s actions might not have been isolated.

During the appeal hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on July 20, 2017, Michael Magee, representing Boswell, explained that the retiree had become increasingly isolated and lived a very solitary life after his retirement. Magee detailed that at the time of the incident, Boswell was on painkillers to manage chronic arthritis and an itching rash, which resembled scabies, covering much of his body. Magee argued that these health issues, combined with his mental state, contributed to his reckless behavior.

He further stated that Boswell, who had been a rowing coach for many years and was volunteering with the Cam Rowers charity, had only recently sought help for his alcohol addiction independently. Magee suggested that Boswell’s actions were driven by a misguided desire to protect the birds in his garden, which he considered his connection to his previous active life. The court was told that Boswell had picked up an air rifle, belonging to his son, while under the influence of alcohol, and shot Pia in a moment of stupidity, not malice.

In his plea for leniency, Magee emphasized Boswell’s good character, work ethic, and remorse. He urged the court to suspend the prison sentence, highlighting that Boswell’s mental health issues and his efforts to improve his life should be taken into account.

After a brief adjournment, Recorder Sandeep Kainth acknowledged the seriousness of Boswell’s actions but expressed that the mitigating circumstances warranted a suspended sentence. He noted that Boswell’s actions—shooting the cat twice—were deliberate and caused suffering, but also recognized his remorse and the fact that the incident was isolated. The judge highlighted Boswell’s age, 73, and his otherwise good character, as factors that influenced the decision.

Ultimately, Boswell’s original 12-week prison sentence was suspended for one year. The court ordered him to pay £1,500 in compensation to Ms. King, and his air rifle was confiscated and destroyed. The case has left a lasting impact on the Cambridge community, raising questions about animal cruelty and the mental health of individuals involved in such acts.