TWO airgun attacks on cats in Gwent are among several acrossWales highlighted by RSPCA Cymru, which is concerned about a rise in such incidents.

More than 50 incidents in Wales were reported in 2012, up from 44 in 2011 - and there have already been 34 attacks in Wales this year.

The majority of the reports involved wild birds, but cats were the second most targeted animal.

One cat, Holly, a three-year-old tabby from Six Bells, was shot in the early hours in July last year.

She returned home with serious injuries which left her having to be operated on and fed through a tube.

Vets first thought she had been shot by a bullet but a police examination revealed it was an airgun pellet.

Five weeks ago, a cat died of a heart attack while being treated after being shot in the Courtney Street area of Newport.

RSPCA inspector Nicola Johnson said: “This was a mindless attack on a defenceless animal. It is distressing to think that people take pleasure in causing such horrific injuries with such deliberate acts of cruelty.”

James Yeates, chief veterinary officer at RSPCA said: “Whoever carries out these attacks needs to understand that you face up to six months in prison.