Cats shot with air rifle

THE RSPCA has launched an investigation after a second cat, belonging to a Chinnor woman, was wounded by air-rifle pellets.

Lisa Hawes’ 16-month-old black cat, Bobbi was shot in the back leg close to their home on either June 13 or 14, 2009.

Bobbi’s sister Roxy was shot in the leg near their home on New Year’s Eve and both cats had to be operated on.

Mrs Hawes said: “Someone may be trying to keep the cats away from their gardens, but there are better ways of doing this and they should realise that they are causing a great deal of pain and distress. I try and make sure they are in at night but if they’re not I laying in bed worrying about where they are and what is happening to them.
“I have lived in this house for 22 years and had other cats but nothing like this has ever happened round here before.”

RSPCA inspector, Martin Rivett, added: “We have seen cats suffer extremely serious injury and even death after being shot by air weapons and this needs to stop now.”

He added that anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary animal suffering could face a six-month prison sentence and be fined up to