AN APPEAL has been issued to find the person responsible for shooting a cat in the head in Wallasey last week.

Emergency surgery was carried out on the one-year-old cat after she was shot with an air rifle.

The pet named Ebony was taken to Parkside Veterinary Practice after her owners became upset when she returned home at Hillcroft Road on Thursday, June 16, with a swollen and bloody eye.

Owners initially feared she had been hit by a car but when vets at the practice carried out X-rays they saw an airgun pellet lodged behind the left ear.

Hayley Aston from the practice said: “All our staff at the surgery were really shocked and upset to see Ebony like this and wondered why anybody would deliberately set out to injure an animal in this way.”

Ebony had only been out for around one hour when she returned home injured.

Ebony stayed overnight as the practice and was discharged the next day, however Hayley has warned more treatment may be required to save the eye.

Although further surgery will be carried out to save the appearance of the eye, it is thought Ebony will lose her sight.

Wirral RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes said: “Ebony for no reason was shot in the face and it sounds like it was not from a great distance.

“Whoever did this took advantage of a young cat’s friendly nature and shot her, this poor cat is now going to be terrified.

“Most people don’t realise an offence of this kind carries a maximum six months in prison.

“If we find the person or people responsible for this, they will be looking at a day in court."

Call Wirral’s RSPCA branch on 0300 1234 999 and leave a message for Insp Joynes.