A WIRRAL RSPCA inspector has condemned the “appalling and cowardly” actions of callous thugs after a pet cat was shot in Birkenhead after another had to be put down after a similar incident in Heswall.

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X-rays show the pellet lodged near Trixie's ribs.

Owner Carole Williams has been left with a bill of more than £300 and scared to let her pets out after beloved cat Trixie was shot on Monday morning.

The cat returned to her Keswick Place home before collapsing in the hallway, mouth gaping and panting.

She was taken to Birch Vets in Oxton, where x-rays revealed an air rifle pellet had entered her body, travelling a number of inches and becoming lodged close to her ribs.

Although Trixie is expected to make a full recovery, RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes told the Globe he will not tolerate what he described as an “appalling and cowardly act of deliberate cruelty”.

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He said: “If caught, this person may well be looking at having committed not only animal welfare act offences but offences of criminal damage too.

“These offences are punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £20,000.

“This is completely unacceptable and I would plead for someone who knows who has done this to ring up and pass me the relevant information.”

Inspector Joynes added: “It is so unfair that the owner now has to live worried to let her cats go out worrying if they'll ever come back because some thug thinks it's acceptable to act like this.”

Trixie's shooting comes just one week after a similar incident in Heswall.

Inspector Joynes said: “The cat was shot last Monday and has had two operations since and a vet bill of £1,000. It developed serious infections after the pellet migrated through the intestines and was put to sleep on Monday. The owners are literally heartbroken.”

Anyone who has any information about either incident should call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 or leave a message for Inspector Joynes on 0151 638 6318.