A family in Herefordshire is mourning the loss of their beloved cat after a man with a thermal imaging rifle shot the animal during a night of hunting. The case was heard at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court, where Charles Bolton admitted to killing the pet while out on private land with permission from the owner, the Hereford Times reports.

Bolton said he spotted what appeared to be two foxes, one larger and one smaller, while using a thermal scope and a lamp. He aimed at the bigger shape but missed. His bullet struck the smaller heat source, which turned out to be a cat named Maurice.

A hunter armed with a thermal scope killed a family cat.

Family’s Search Ends in Heartbreak

Maurice’s owner, Miss Griffiths, realized something was wrong when her cat failed to return home. She and her partner began searching and soon found a trail of blood, fur, and Maurice’s collar pierced by a bullet. They eventually discovered Maurice’s body in nettles near a railway line.

Camila Toscano of the Crown Prosecution Service told the court that Bolton admitted what happened when questioned by police. “He took a shot at the bigger animal but missed. He walked up and saw the cat. He said it looked disheveled and he thought it was a stray,” Toscano told the Hereford Times.

The hunter mistook the cat, named Maurice, for a fox.

Court Ruling and Sentence

The court ruled the killing reckless, not intentional. Bolton expressed remorse and cooperated with authorities. His defense noted he was legitimately hunting with landowner permission. The bench fined him £224 and ordered additional costs and compensation.

“This wasn’t a vicious act, there were no aggravating features and you’re obviously remorseful,” Chair of the bench Lesley Houlston said during sentencing.