A CAT lover has spoken of her anguish after one of her pets was shot with an air rifle.

Sherry Armstrong-Wilkinson, 46, and her husband, John, 37, were horrified when Norwegian forest cat Zawadi returned to their County Durham home covered in blood.

Mrs Armstrong-Wilkinson, who lives in Waldron Street, Bishop Auckland, said: "We knew something was wrong because he was limping, and when John went to have a look at his back leg, it was pouring with blood.

"We took him straight to the vet, who said he had a bullet in his colon and they had to operate on him straight away.''

Zawadi is recovering from the ordeal at home, but the incident has meant Mr and Mrs Armstrong-Wilkinson are frightened to let any of their six cats out.

Mrs Armstrong-Wilkinson said: "We cannot believe that someone can do this. A cat may be an interesting target for someone to shoot, but our cats are our family.

"We would like to warn everyone else who has pets to look out for them because someone is out there shooting at animals."

It is the second time that one of the family's cats has been shot with an air rifle. Last year, Obi-Wan was shot at point blank range after someone held a gun to its head.

Fortunately, the pet moved quickly and the bullet went through its chest and into its stomach.

It has cost the Armstrong-Wilkinsons more than £1,000 in vet's bills.

Last night, Bishop Auckland police appealed for witnesses to Tuesday night's shooting.

Acting Sergeant Craig Sewell said: "We will take a dim view on any sort of incident like this. Air rifles are terribly dangerous and any evidence of cruelty towards animals will not be tolerated.''

Witnesses are asked to call (01388) 603566.