A PET owner today told of her disgust after her cat was shot in the leg with an air rifle.

Four-year-old beloved family feline Bella is lucky to be alive after she was shot last Thursday near her home in Browning Road.

The air gun pellet went through one of her back legs, missed vital organs and ended up lodged in the opposite leg.

The shooting has left Bella’s owner, Sharon Cannell, 43, devastated. “I was shocked when I found out my cat had been shot,” she said.

“We’ve had Bella since she was 12 weeks old and she is a big part of the family.

“My 13-year-old son Shea absolutely loves her and he was close to tears when I told him Bella had been shot.”

Husband Ian Cannell, 46, found Bella lying under their car outside their home.

“He initially didn’t notice anything wrong but then she started dragging her legs behind her, crawling along the floor,” said Mrs Cannell.

X-rays taken at Barn Veterinary Surgery, in Wenham Road, revealed her injuries.

“They said she was very lucky to be alive because it just missed all her vital organs, including her bladder and kidney,” added Mrs Cannell.

“They said they didn’t want to perform surgery because it might do more damage. She might have to be operated on in a couple of weeks.”

Police confirmed they are looking into the incident. Although a licence is not required to own an air rifle, it is illegal to use or uncover one in a public place.

Klare Kennett, spokeswoman for RSPCA Suffolk, said: “Anybody who has shot an animal with an air rifle could face prosecution up to six months in prison and could be fined �20,000.”

Has your pet been attacked by yobs? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or you can send an e-mail to starletters@archant.co.uk