Thugs have shot a pet cat with an air gun in a cruel attack in the Black Country.

Smokey, a two-year-old grey and white rescue cat, was left with a bad infection and is now scared to go outside, said her owner, Sally Edwards.

Mrs Edwards, aged 39, of Gadsby Avenue, Ashmore Park, Wolverhampton, discovered a small hole left by an air gun pellet in her cat’s chest on Monday. Mrs Edwards later found the pellet from a .177 air gun in the cat’s bed.

She was told by vets at E C Straiton & Partners in Penkridge that the pellet could have been lodged in the animal’s chest for up to 10 days, before it fell out, causing the infection.

Mother-of-three Mrs Edwards, who has four other cats, said Smokey was now recovering and had been given antibiotics to help get her back on her feet.

She  is now warning other pet owners on the Ashmore Park estate to be on their guard.

She said: “I can’t believe people can be so cruel. It is disgusting. Who goes about shooting at animals?

“It must have been done near our home because our cats do not wander far. I want people to know this is happening so they can keep an eye on their own cats.

“Smokey has been knocked about what’s happened and keeps growling at us, which isn’t like her. But it could have been a lot worse, if they had used a bigger gun. She has definitely used up a few of her nine lives.”

RSPCA spokeswoman Judith Haw said: “This is a mindless attack on an animal which is unacceptable and a criminal offence. We urge people to contact the police as soon as possible if they see an animal being hurt.

“Unfortunately, there have been a lot of air gun attacks in Wolverhampton. It has been a problem for many years.”