‘Someone tried to murder our cat’: Bridgnorth animal rescue centre’s cat shot by a rifle - 'bullet' left in its leg

Staff at a Bridgnorth animal rescue centre have said they are in “disbelief” after their cat was shot by a rifle and a “bullet” was found in the animal’s leg.

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Severn Valley Rescue, in Billingsley, have now launched a fundraiser after their pet cat, Mr Star was shot at the weekend.

Amanda Ball at the centre said: “Mr Star was a happy, loving cat at the sanctuary and, as usual, he had his evening meal on Friday and went about his business.

“Sometimes he would totter into the farmers field opposite the rescue - but he never went far. On Saturday morning, Mr Star didn’t return for breakfast. He was missing.

“We looked everywhere and couldn’t find him.

“Eventually, in the early hours of Monday morning he returned, limping badly and with a large infected open wound.

“I immediately rushed him to the vets who agreed to see him straight away. Our first thoughts were a car accident or perhaps a dog attack…But nothing seemed to fit.

“He was sedated, given antibiotics, pain relief and x-rayed.

“To our complete disbelief, the remains of a bullet were found in Mr Star’s shattered leg. Not an air rifle. An actual rifle- the type you need a license for. A real weapon.

“Someone tried to murder our cat.”

She added: “We are very rural, no close neighbours with arable land each side. We are still checking all the CCTV and asking neighbours to do the same.

“We have, of course, given all information to the police, and preserved any evidence. Let’s hope the police do their job now.”

She added that Mr Star’s treatment will run into thousands of pounds so the centre has launched a fundraiser. Details on how to donate can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mr-star-the-cat-after-he-was-shot?