Two pet cats belonging to the same family have been shot with air rifles in the space of a week.

One of Sarah Rawles’ pets was put down after it was hit in the leg with a pellet and the other was left with a pellet in its side.

She said 18-month-old ginger and white Tom JJ got home with a badly injured leg and got back in via the cat flap last week. “He slept on my bed and I didn’t realise anything was wrong until my daughter noticed he was bleeding on Friday morning. We took him straight to the vets.

“His leg was paralysed and the vet gave him painkillers and anti-inflamatories. I took him back again on Friday night and Saturday morning, but when the vet found the pellet had severed nerves in his leg and he could no longer go to the toilet we decided it was kinder to have him put to sleep,” said 42-year-old Sarah, of Cedar Close, Chasetown.

The shootings have been reported to the RSPCA and inspector Penny Baker is investigating.

The RSPCA is appealing for anyone with information about the shootings to call 0300 123 4999.