A KITTEN has been left with painful injuries after being shot with an air gun while in the garden of her Malvern home.

Police believe Alfie, a six-month-old black and white kitten, was shot while on top of a fence and fell to the ground.

The attack has left her incontinent and jumpy.

The pellet, lodged near her spine, cannot be removed and owner Ema Bushell has to massage her twice a day.

Miss Bushell, of Atyeo Close, Malvern, said she realised something was wrong when she returned home at 7pm on Saturday, December 15, and called her.

"She did try to move but she couldn't and I knew something was wrong," said the 25-year-old. "My heart just sank. Her back end was just dragging along the floor."

Miss Bushell, who owns eight cats, was shocked when an X-ray showed the pellet had entered Alfie's side and lodged by her spine.

She said: "I just burst into tears. They can't remove it because it will do more damage and it will just take time to see if she gets better.

"I have to be there for her 24/7 cleaning up after her because she doesn't know when she's going to the toilet. She is getting better now, she's starting to walk around a lot better, but she's still wobbly.

"She was born on the anniversary of my dad's death and so she's really special in my eyes. I named her after my dad."

"It's terrible how someone can do that to an animal."

RSPCA inspector Mark Lewis said: "It is a disgrace for anyone to have shot this kitten for fun."

He urged anyone who saw the attack or who knows of someone living locally who owns an air gun to contact the RSPCA national cruelty advice line on 0300 1234 999.

We reported in December how police were also investigating after another cat, Molly, was shot in Droitwich on the same day.

A spokesman for South Worcestershire police said the shooting of Alfie had been investigated, but there was nothing to suggest it had been a malicious act.

However he said the case would be re-investigated if further information came to light.

Anyone with information should call West Mercia police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.