ANIMAL lover Sarah O’Sullivan is warning pet owners in Calne to be on their guard after two cats were shot last week.

Mrs O’Sullivan's three-year-old Bengal cat Teddy was badly injured by some form of air weapon on June 29.

The incident, along with reports of a second cat being injured by an air weapon the previous day near the Salmonds Leap area, is now being investigated by Calne Police.

Mrs O’Sullivan, 47, of Castle Street, who bred Teddy from a kitten with her mother Brenda Postlewhite, said: “I am horrified. My cat came home limping and he had a wound at the top of his shoulder.

“The vet did an x-ray and found he’d been shot in the leg and in his abdomen; thankfully they managed to get the pellets out.

“I was utterly shocked that it had happened to another cat. It's horrifying that someone would want to shoot a cat; I just don’t understand it.

“The pellet in his abdomen missed his pelvis by a centimetre. If it had hit his pelvis it would have shattered it and we’d be looking at a completely different outcome.”

Teddy needed an operation on Wednesday (July 1) which, including x-rays, took Mrs O’Sullivan’s vet bills, which are covered by pet insurance, to £2,500.

Despite his ordeal, after a four-week rest Teddy is expected to make a full recovery.

Mrs O’Sullivan, who also has two dogs and a second cat, added: “I am scared to let them out the house. It’s not fair on them but I don’t want them to get shot too. People should keep their eyes open and report anything suspicious to police.”

Calne Police are investigating two incidents, the first on June 28 which is thought to have occurred in the Salmonds Leap area and on June 29 near Castle Street.

PCSO Mark Cook said: "I just don't understand why anyone would want to do anything of this nature to people's pets.

"With two reports from different parts of the town it's difficult to know where it is happening especially where cats roam so much."

In Wroughton, a pet cat shot with an air gun pellet had to be put down by vets after being found critically injured on Tuesday evening. It is not known if the incidents are connected.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 and ask for information to be passed to PCSO Mark Cook.

Alternatively information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.