A FAMILY have been left devastated after their cat was found dead in a garden after being ‘shot’.

‎Nicola Thomas’s cat Rory was found dead, with a hole in his side, on Sunday, July 12 in Prestatyn.

Nicola said: “He went out as normal. He is normally home when I wake up to go to work but I didn’t really think anything of him not being back as sometimes he hides around the back of our house.

“I was at work no longer than an hour when my partner rang me upset and told me that our neighbour had found our cat in her garden.

“When she said he hadn’t moved for over an hour she went to check on him and discovered he had died.

“My partner thought he had been probably run over but then found he had no noticeable injury or blood.

“Once I got back from work, I checked him over and I was in complete shock that my boy had one little hole to the centre of his rib.”

Nicola, who has daughter Lillie, sent a picture to a friend who works at a vets.

“She told me that he had in fact been shot and his death was more than likely instant,” Nicola added.

“We’ve had Rory for almost three years. He wasn’t just a pet but a massive part of the family.

“My daughter hasn’t took it well. She just doesn’t understand why these things happen.”

The incident has been reported to the police and RSPCA.

“I've lived in my street for almost six years. I just want to let people know what has happened as I'd hate it to happen to anybody else. A massive hole has been left in my home without him."

An RSPCA Cymru spokesperson said: “We’re so sorry to hear reports of what happened to poor Rory in Prestatyn. Our thoughts are with Rory’s owners at such a difficult time.

“This is a totally unacceptable way to treat an animal - but sadly all too often, we receive reports of pets and other animals targeted in this way.

“We’d urge anyone looking to report animal welfare concerns to us to contact our emergency line on 0300 1234 999.

“The RSPCA continues to call for new regulation concerning air weapons, including stricter controls on use, better education and an explanation of the law for those purchasing air weapons.”