Cats shot by air rifle in linked attacks

Teddy the cat was shot in the leg with an air rifle

Two cats have been injured after being shot by an air rifle in a residential area of West Sussex, police said.

The attacks took place in The Lawns in the village of Sompting, near Worthing, within a week of each other.

Owner Teresa Giles said she was "horrified" when her cat Teddy came home bleeding after being shot in the leg on 9 October.

Another cat in the same area was found with a pellet in its lung on Sunday.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex, Ms Giles said Teddy came back home "limping" after being outside.

She thought her cat had a thorn in its paw but then noticed blood.

"I didn't for a minute assume what it was," she said, adding her daughter later noticed the pellet.

Ms Giles said she hoped Teddy would make a full recovery

A vet later confirmed to Ms Giles that Teddy had been shot with an air rifle.

She said it was "horrible" watching her pet - who is still struggling to walk - be in pain.

She added another neighbour came home on Sunday afternoon and found "blood everywhere in her house".

The neighbour's "very poorly" cat was found "laid down" in the garden with a pellet in its lung.

Sussex Police believe the attacks are linked.

Joss Loader, chair of Worthing Cat Welfare Trust, said people "should be concerned", and that attacks were increasing.

"There are some people that have no compassion sadly," she added.