POLICE and animal welfare officers are appealing for information after two cats were shot in air rifle attacks in a north Suffolk town.The incidents have taken place in a small residential area of Beccles and left the two pets with serious injuries.

By David Lennard

POLICE and animal welfare officers are appealing for information after two cats were shot in air rifle attacks in a north Suffolk town.

The incidents have taken place in a small residential area of Beccles and left the two pets with serious injuries.

They have prompted the RSPCA to warn that offenders found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal could face a maximum sentence of up to six months in prison and a £5,000 fine.

In the latest attack, on Saturday April 1, a brown Burmese cat was discovered with two wounds to its head and could have easily have been blinded.

At the beginning of March a black and white short haired cat was also found with an airgun wound to its stomach.

Both cats were found in the same area of Beccles, to the south of the town centre between Banham Road, Duke Street and Woodside. There are also reports of wild birds being found with airgun wounds in the same area.

The two cats have been treated for their injuries by local vets and are both making a recovery.

They were shot with a 2:2 air rifle and pellets recovered from the second animal mean that it would be possible to match them up with the weapon used if it was recovered.

RSPCA Inspector Rob Melloy said: “There appears to be a record of indiscriminate attacks on animals in this area and we need to find out who is doing this.

“Such attacks cause a huge amount of pain and distress to the targeted animals and the second cat could easily have been blinded.”

Last year in the eastern region, the RSPCA dealt with 54 reported airgun incidents involving attacks on animals and birds. Cats seem to be the most targeted species along with wild birds.

Anyone with information about the attacks is asked to contact Suffolk police on 01493 613500 or the RSPCA on 08705 555999.

david.lennard@eadt.co.uk