A CAT had to have its leg amputated after being shot with an air gun.

Vets could not save three-year-old Tippy’s back leg after the pellet shattered the thigh bone.

Owner Joanne Cole, of Roundwell Street, Tunstall, was unaware the long-haired cat had been injured until she limped out of her basket.

The 40-year-old rushed Tippy to Beechwood Vets in Kidsgrove, and initially thought the happy-go-lucky cat had been in a road accident.

But X-rays showed a pellet lodged in Tippy’s thigh, which had caused extensive damage.

The next day, Tippy had an operation to amputate the leg, and she is now recovering well at home.

But Ms Cole, who is disabled and lives with 12-year-old daughter Hannah, warned other pet owners to be vigilant.

She said: “It’s disgusting. I can’t believe someone could do that to an animal. Tippy loves to run about and play. Now she will have to learn how to walk again. At the moment she is just flopping around like a seal.

“But Tippy is one of the lucky ones. The injury could have been fatal and next time someone else’s cat could be killed.

“These people need to be found and have their guns taken away.”

Vets did not spot the pellet at first, as the wound was blocked by the cat’s hair and did not bleed.

Eleanor Dolan, clinical director of the practice, said: “When Tippy first came in her right back leg was clearly broken. We kept her in overnight and when the X-rays came back the next day they showed the thigh bone was shattered in 12 different places, and in the middle was a pellet.

“It was a very nasty injury and the cat is very lucky to have recovered so well.”

She added: “Gunshot wounds in cats is something we do see quite regularly, unfortunately.”

Anyone with information about the attack should call Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 44 55.

Has your pet recently been shot at by an air gun?