A ‘SICKENING and mindless’ attack that crippled a cat has forced the owner to have their beloved pet put down.

On Sunday at around 10am, 10-year-old cat Daley was seriously injured in the Springhill area of Accrington when it was shot by an air gun.

The pellet from the rifle was lodged in the animal’s shoulder when the owner found it collapsed and bleeding in their garden.

The cat, which could ‘barely move’, was taken to Mearley Veterinary Group in Clitheroe but, due to the extent of its injuries, a decision was made to put it down.

Police were contacted the following day and an investigation is now underway.

The owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It is a sickening and mindless attack, and whoever did this doesn’t realise the damage and the grief they have caused.

“I gave my cat breakfast at 7am and he went outside before returning a couple of hours later with blood all over him.

“He could barely move so we bundled him up in some sheets and had to take him to Clitheroe since the Accrington vets is closed on a Sunday.

“I’m devastated because my cat suffered so much, he was crying the whole time.

“The veterinary costs mean nothing to me, I just never wanted to see him suffer like that.

“We had the option to remove his leg, but because he’s already 10 years old he wouldn’t have had any quality of life for a cat who loves going outdoors.

“I can’t understand why someone would decide to shoot someone else’s pet with an air gun.

“I hope the person responsible for this is caught, or at the very least, understands the horrible consequences of their actions.”

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “We were called around 6pm on Monday following reports of an incident in the Springhill area of Accrington.

“Between 7.30am and 10.30am on Sunday, August 14, a cat was shot in the shoulder with a pellet gun.

“Sadly due to the injuries caused, the cat had to be put down by a vet.

“Police are looking into this but would welcome assistance from the public.

“Anyone with information can contact police on 101.”