An Ipswich pet owner has told of her shock when her much-loved cat was shot twice with an air rifle.

Emma Knights, who lives in the Clapgate Lane area of Ipswich, said former rescue cat Lizzie was in a lot of pain at the time.

Ipswich Star: The injury to Lizzie, who was shot twice with an air rifle in the Clapgate Lane area of IpswichThe injury to Lizzie, who was shot twice with an air rifle in the Clapgate Lane area of Ipswich (Image: Emma Knights)

The cat is recovering well - but her owner is now scared about letting her outside.

"It was horrible. Lizzie was shot twice in her stomach, " she said. "She had only been out for about 20 minutes and then came in.

"She wasn't whimpering, but she had a wet patch and blood on her.

"I had a look and saw a pellet which was partly sticking out, and managed to remove it. "

Ipswich Star: Lizzie the cat from Ipswich is recovering well after being shot with an air rifleLizzie the cat from Ipswich is recovering well after being shot with an air rifle (Image: Emma Knights)

The four-year-old tabby was shot in the area around the top of Clapgate Lane between 6.50pm and 7pm on Wednesday, July 7.

Police are trying to find out what happened and appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Mrs Knights and husband Gavin took the cat to the vet, who removed a second pellet which was embedded in her. "We were really shocked to realise she had been shot twice."

The couple originally rehomed Lizzie from the RSPCA in Maldon. "She had been abandoned, poor little thing," Mrs Knights said.

"She is such a lovely, quiet cat and so friendly - she doesn't even growl at anyone.

"We were really shocked and so were our neighbours and the vet. Nobody has heard of anything like this happening in our area before."

Ipswich Star: Owner Emma Knights says Lizzie is a very gentle and friendly catOwner Emma Knights says Lizzie is a very gentle and friendly cat (Image: Emma Knights)

She said Lizzie had always been a home-loving cat, who does not go very far, stays in the house a lot and uses a litter tray.

They kept her in for several days after her injury, and, although they were now allowing her out again, she had not ventured beyond her own garden. "We are quite frightened to let her out."

She added they kept the cat in on the night of the Euros final on Sunday, after she was injured on the night of the England semi-final against Denmark, just in case the incident had any link with the football.

Anyone who has any information about the shooting or saw anything suspicious is asked to contact Suffolk police, quoting crime reference: 37/36763/21

Visit the website, call 101 or email Sally.King@suffolk.police.uk