POLICE have urged pet owners to be extra vigilant after an 18-month-old cat was shot in its owners' garden.

Timmy the tabby was shot in the back with an air rifle yesterday.

The pellet lodged a few millimetres from his spine, and owners Louise Potter and Steve Rodgers, of Barnes Close, Darlington, say Timmy is lucky to be alive.

The shooting comes days after a four-year-old cat was killed with an air rifle yards from its owner's home in the Haughton area of Darlington.

The pellet ruptured the cat's kidney and it died before it could receive treatment.

Miss Potter, 21, called the shooting "barbaric."

She said: "I'm appalled at this, it has really shaken us up because you are left wondering whether you can let your cat out into the garden.

"To be honest I think we are going to keep him in the house for the next week because he is so upset by it.

"He had only wandered into the garden and the next thing he comes running into the house with his fur on end and a bleeding wound in his back."

The shooting happened just after 10am as Timmy was playing in the couple's garden.

The couple asked neighbours if they had seen anyone acting suspiciously, but have failed to find any clues to the attacker.

Miss Potter said: "I would warn anybody with a cat to be very wary about letting it out, because someone is obviously out to injure or even kill them."

Police have appealed to animal owners to contact them if they know of any similar incidents.

Sergeant Bob McKay, of Darlington police, said: "This must be very distressing, not only for the cat, but for the owners as well.

"It will also be a concern for those with pets in Darlington, because this is nothing more than just wanton cruelty.

"I would urge those with pets to be extra vigilant and anyone with information to contact us immediately."

Darlington police can be contacted on (01325) 467681.