ESSEX, UK – A pet cat had a narrow escape after he was shot in the head with an air rifle.
Injured: the RSPCA has launched an appeal to find the culprits RSPCA
The black and white cat, who his owners do not wish to name, returned home bleeding from his head.
His owners examined the wounds and discovered an air rifle pellet lodged next to his ear.
The much-loved pet from Rivenhall, near Witham in Essex, did manage to survive the shooting and is recovering well at home.
The RSPCA has now recently launched an appeal to find whoever was responsible for inflicting the cruel injury on the animal.
Wound: the bullet was lodged in the animal’s head (RSPCA)
The cat’s owner, who also does not wish his name to be published, said: “It’s awful to think that someone would do this to a defenceless animal. We are scared to let him out of the house now.
“We want to know who did this and also get the message out there that doing something like this is absolutely not acceptable.”
RSPCA inspector Adam Jones also stated: “This is an awful incident which is extremely upsetting for his owners.
Pellet: the cat was shot with an air rifle (RSPCA)
“The poor cat was shot in the head with an air rifle and the pellet lodged in his skull. He was incredibly lucky because a few millimetres in a different direction it would have gone through his ear or eye and could have killed him.
“We do not know for sure how this happened but we want to make sure that no other animal has to go through this again.”
The cat is believed to have been shot somewhere between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday, March 22.
Anyone who hasl information about this incident can contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for inspector Adam Jones.
