AN angry Rubery mum has slammed a close range pellet gun attack on her family's cat.

Sue Tapper, of New Road, was horrified to find her cat, Mitzy, had been shot with an airgun after the vet discovered a pellet embedded six inches into the animal's body on Wednesday June 19.

The attack meant the cat had to endure a four-hour operation at the Townsend Veterinary Practice, in Birmingham Road, to repair a fractured femur.

The injured pet was found on the family's front doorstep and it was only after an X-ray they realised Mitzy had suffered a bullet wound.

The incident has now left Sue and her children, six-year-old Samantha and Matthew, aged nine, fearing for the safety of their 10-month-old kitten, Penny, who has been missing for nearly two weeks.

She said: "I cannot believe anyone would be so cruel.

"The vet told us the pellet had been shot at such close range it couldn't have been an accident."

"Anyone who has such little respect for animals can't have any respect for anyone else.

"I'm concerned about the other cat now as it has never been away overnight before."

Sue and her partner, Joe, contacted the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the police.

RSPCA spokeswoman Jo Cunningham said: "Unfortunately statistics show airgun abuse is more common in the summer holidays and cats are the most common victims as you cannot track where they go.

"In cases like these we rely on the public to let us know if they see anyone acting suspiciously, so we can investigate the matter straight away."

Anyone with further information should call the RSPCA on 0870 5555 999.

The owner has stumped up a reward for the return of her missing cat. Anyone with information should call 07971 222798.