AN animal lover has spoken of her horror and anger after her cat was shot dead at point-blank range with an airgun.

Vanessa Leadley's pet cat, Tails, died in agony after being shot through the abdomen in an incident which horrified animal welfare workers.

Tails was found in Mrs Leadley's back yard in Malton, North Yorkshire, by her five-year-old daughter, Annie, and 11-year-old son, Lewis.

Mrs Leadley said: "I came straight from work and took her to the vet and we just couldn't believe it when we were told she had been shot.

"Apparently she was shot at point-blank range, which is frightening because one of my children could have been shot.

"The vet tried to save Tails, but the injuries she sustained were just too much."

Local RSPCA inspector, Geoff Edmond, said: "This is a serious criminal offence and anything which can help us investigate this matter would be a great help."

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA cruelty hotline on (08705) 555999.