A CAT has had to be put down after being shot by an airgun on two separate occasions

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after the injured black and white cat was found in Dorchester Close, Rhyl and was unable to walk properly.

The animal welfare charity was contacted on Friday by Vets4Pets Rhyl in Rhuddlan after the animal had been brought in by a member of the public.

He was injured severely and had no use of his back legs.

The vet carried out surgery but they took the decision to put the cat down to prevent further suffering after an air gun pellet was found lodged deep into its spine, a few vertebrae above the tail.

An air rifle pellet just behind the front legs of the cat, but this appeared to be an older injury, resulting from a separate incident.

The surgery and X-rays were funded by the RSPCA Clwyd and Colwyn branch.

RSPCA inspector Jenny Anderton said: “This cat must have been through a terrifying ordeal, being shot by an air gun, not once, but twice.

“He was found on Dorchester Close, off Bryn Cwnin Road in Rhyl, and so far no owner has come forward.

“He wasn’t microchipped so we can’t identify his owner.

“The person who found the cat in their garden only found him by chance and it is very upsetting to think how the cat may have had prolonged suffering if no one had noticed he was there.

“We believe the pellet wound may have occurred either on the Friday or the days leading up to it.

“The pellet was found to be very deep, so it is possible that it was shot at close range.

“We don’t know when the first air gun incident took place. If anyone has any information please give us a call.”

RSPCA Cymru is urging anyone with information about this cat to call the charity’s inspectorate appeal line, 0300 123 8018. All calls will be treated in confidence.