AN owner has been left "devastated" after her young cat was allegedly shot with an air rifle in an incident that has prompted police involvement.
Ella Birkin became concerned after noticing five-year-old Lottie the cat curled up on an outdoor bench. When she approached, she saw a small bleeding hole in her skin, and her tail was limp.
She had last seen Lottie leave at around 11.30pm on May 31, and she noticed the wound upon her return the following morning.
After rushing her to the vets, where she received antibiotics and other treatments, the vet said she believes Lottie may have been trapped by her tail and shot with an air rifle.
Ms Birkin said Lottie's injury has been "devastating" and they are now playing a waiting game to see whether her tail will "fall off" or if it will need to be removed in the future due to a lack of blood flow.
"It’s been devastating for us but an affordable vet bill later and we got to take her home," she added.
"Which I’m thankful for, if it had been an inch higher, she would have had to physically drag herself home."
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said officers are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Spring Gardens area that evening, and who may have witnessed anything suspicious or who has information that could help identify those responsible.
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