A HORRIFIED cat lover has joined police in appealing for witnesses after her beloved pet was shot and left with a lead pellet lodged in her.

Dave Gooderham

A HORRIFIED cat lover has joined police in appealing for witnesses after her beloved pet was shot and left with a lead pellet lodged in her.

The life-threatening injuries suffered by black and white cat, Tanya, were inoperable after vets concluded it was too dangerous to try and remove the pellet between her shoulder blade and chest.

Though now home, her worried owners have been left fearing she might have to have a leg amputated as a result of the attack.

The incident, which follows a spate of similar cat shootings in Haverhill, has prompted an urgent appeal for information from police.

Her owner, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said: “My cats are my babies, they are part of my family. She has a really, pretty little face and I cannot believe anyone would ever do this.

“The pellet had gone through the ribcage and though an operation was able to take a piece of bone out, they couldn't remove the pellet. The vets just said it would be better to leave it. I have to admit that I did fear the worst but I am just so grateful she is still alive.”

She claimed that three cats had been shot at and injured in the last few months with Tanya, a black and white tabby, attacked close to their home in Mill Hill sometime between 8pm and 10.30pm on Friday.

Having first thought she might have been in a fight or bitten, it was only when vets in the town took an x-ray that the full extent of the injury became clear.

Her owner added: “She went out Friday night but she never ventures far from the back garden. She is always in calling distance so she can quickly come back in.

“But this time she had to drag herself in and you could tell there was something wrong with her leg which she then folded inwards as if she was in a lot of pain.

“We thought she might have been in a fight but she is a real coward - she would normally run a mile if another cat came towards her. She started making some awful noises and there was lot of dry blood. I was hysterical when I found out she had been shot.”

Anyone with information should contact Pc Cheryl Claydon on 01284 774100.