Cat has surgery after air gun pellet found in gum

The pellet was discovered during an x-ray

A rescue cat had to undergo a £2,000 operation after an air gun pellet was discovered lodged in its gum.

Cats Protection said an x-ray revealed Butler’s injury after he was taken to its West Norfolk Cat Centre, in Downham Market.

The charity believed the 10-year-old cat had been shot "some time ago" as the wound had healed over the pellet.

Following an operation, in which Butler had two teeth removed, he was adopted by a new owner "who has already fallen in love with him", the charity added.

Cats Protection said Butler originally showed signs of cat flu

Deputy centre manager, Stacey Ely, said: "It was heartbreaking to learn that Butler had been the victim of a gunshot and to think someone may have deliberately targeted a defenceless cat.

"It was a real case of teamwork, involving volunteers, staff and vets, to get to the bottom of Butler's poor health but to know that his future will be rosy and pain-free gives us an enormous sense of achievement.”

Cats Protection claimed Butler's shooting was "not an isolated case".

The charity said that while no official data on shootings was available, it had monitored press reports over the last five years which showed more than 550 cats in the UK had been shot with an air rifle.

Earlier this year, a cat in Norwich was put down after it was found with an air gun injury.

Fragments of the pellet were also discovered in Butler's gum

Madison Rogers, the charity's head of advocacy, campaigns and government relations said: "Air guns are unlicensed in Wales and England, which means anyone aged over 18 can legally buy and own such a lethal weapon, no questions asked.

"This is in contrast with Scotland, which has strict rules in place on who can buy and own an air gun."

The charity set up a fundraising appeal to cover the cost of Butler's operation.

It had also launched a petition calling for air guns to be licensed in Wales and England.