RSPCA quote outstanding A DARWEN woman has issued a warning to other pet owners after her cat was shot with an airgun.

Karen Narramore's one-year-old black cat Merlin had to undergo surgery after he was targeted by a cruel gunman.

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Vets said that if the pellet had struck his head or hit one of his organs he would have been killed.

The incident happened after Merlin went out after eating his breakfast.

He returned limping and bleeding from a wound in his shoulder.

Karen, 52, who lives in Richmond Park with her husband Len and 18-year-old son Tom, said she will be worried when Merlin goes out in future, in case the culprit strikes again.

Karen, who also has another cat, 15-year-old Cleo, said: " He was fed and went out and when he got back he was dripping blood from a wound in his armpit.

"It didn't appear to be a big wound, but it wouldn't stop bleeding, so I took him to the vet.

"The vet said it would need to be sutured, and he was put under anaesthetic.

"They thought he'd injured himself on a stick, but it turned out he'd been shot with an airgun, and the bullet had lodged in his chest.

"He came home with a cone on his head and his body's all bandaged up.

"What's so infuriating is if it's someone that doesn't like cats, shoot them with a water pistol."

Merlin's ordeal was extended when his wound reopened and had to be re-sutured.

Karen said: "Luckily it missed his organs or his head. It hit him in the chest. Another few inches and it would've hit his head, and that would have been it.

"It's awful. I'm gutted, I'm heartbroken.

"I'm relieved that he's come through it, but I'm worried when he comes out again, if it's somebody targetting neighbourhood cats.

"I'm worried in case somebody gets him when he goes out again.

"He's a young cat, you can't confine him.

"I want people to be in the lookout, and report it to the police or the RSPCA, if anybody knows or suspects anything."

A spokeswoman for the police said: "We were called at 4.20pm on Saturday, November 1, after a cat was shot.

"We are treating this as a crime and anyone with information should call us on 101."