VETS have had to amputate the leg of a cat which was shot by a callous thug at point blank range.

Today the animal’s shocked family condemned the “deliberate and evil act of violence” which left their pet in excruciating pain, nervous and facing a long recovery.

Police say Topsy – originally a feral cat who took five years to trust people – was shot with an airgun somewhere near his home in Garrison Lane, Felixstowe.

They are appealing for anyone with information about the incident or those involved to come forward.

Louise Sandham said Topsy had gone missing from her mum’s home and was later found him in the greenhouse very distressed and making a crying noise.

“Instantly my mum knew it was very bad – she thought he had been run over and could see his leg dangling. When the vet took x-rays he found he had been shot and said from the horrendous damage it must have been from point blank range,” she said.

“The vets at Whitworths were absolutely marvellous and tried all they could to save his front left leg but the only option in the end was to amputate.

“It is absolutely awful. I cannot believe that a human being could be so cruel to an animal – it is shocking.

“They must have lured Topsy to them to get that close and then carried out this deliberate and evil act of violence. I feel very saddened that there are people out there who have so little humanity.”

Topsy is believed to be more than 11 years old. When Ms Sandham’s mum moved to the house he was a feral cat and she would put out food for him.

“It took five years of feeding him before he would come into the house and trust people. It has left him very nervous and it will be long recovery,” she said.

“We just want people to be on their guard and to know someone is out there shooting at animals.”

She thanked the Blue Cross for helping with the cost of the vet’s bill.

? A police spokeswoman said the shooting incident happened between Saturday November 17 and 1pm on Monday November 19. Anyone with information should call 101.