Shock after two cats in Whickham shot with air rifle and left wounded

An investigation is under way after two cats were shot with an air rifle.

Alison Hartill and her fiancé Lewis Taylor were left in shock after their pets were attacked in Park Drive, Whickham, Gateshead, this week.

Their cat Daphne first suffered an injury to her neck at around 10am on Tuesday. And Charlie was attacked at around 2pm on Wednesday.

Both were taken to a vet and treated for their wounds but the bullets were not removed as it was deemed the operating procedure would pose a risk to the animals.

Charlie was shot through his side and X-ray images showed how the bullet had lodged in his body.

Alison, 35, said: "Our two cats go into our garden and usually don't go far. On Tuesday, Daphne came in and collapsed. She had been shot in the neck, although we didn't know that at the time. There was a big hole in her neck and we took her to the vet.

"The next day, I actually heard the shot at 2pm. I went out and Charlie came back with a hole in his side. He was in shock and bleeding badly.

"After multiple X-rays and ultrasounds at the vets, they found an air rifle bullet. It had gone right through to the other side of his abdomen and lodged between his diaphragm and his lung."

Both cats are now recovering at home. But the incident has caused so much distress that the couple are considering moving elsewhere.

"We don't feel safe and we don't know if this could happen again," said Alison. "We can't possibly let the cats out any more. This has been really upsetting.

"We know pretty much all of our neighbours. We have never had an argument with a single person. We don't know who has done this. It's just such a shock."

This X-ray shows where the bullet lodged in Charlie's abdomen (Alison Hartill)

Northumbria Police is investigating the incident and an appeal for information has been made.

A spokesperson said: “We can confirm we have received reports that two cats had been shot with an air rifle in Whickham earlier this week.

"Enquiries into the incidents are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 732 08/07/20 or report it online at the Northumbria Police website."