A pensioner has issued a heartfelt plea after someone shot her elderly cat in a “cruel and deliberate act”.

The woman in her 80s is calling on people to help the police find the callous person who shot her beloved 18-year-old cat with an air rifle.

The male cat, who survived the incident, was shot in the Westminster Road area of Sutton after being let out at about 5am on Wednesday, August 7.

When he failed to return home at the usual time of 8am his owner started to look for him.

The cat, who is nearly blind and deaf, finally returned at 12pm but was a pitiful sight and could barely walk.

His owner said: “I was in a state of shock when I saw him. He was looking very unwell, was struggling and his meow frightened me - it was so full of pain.”

“I think this was a very cruel and deliberate act and I appeal to local residents to tell police the identity the person responsible.”

The cat is now recovering at home and his owner added: “He’s still limping and has got the sulks because he has to use the dirt tray inside rather than go out.

"I daren’t let him out. If anything like this was to happen to him again it would shatter me.”

The vet who treated the cat said it looks like two pellets left the air rifle simultaneously and entered the cat’s right shoulder. Fortunately they missed any vital organs.

The cat’s treatment cost £524 and although he was insured his owner was left struggling to meet the costs of the insurance excess of £75 and 35 per cent of the remainder.

If you have any information that could help Sutton police contact the station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

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