A pet owner has hit out at attackers who shot her cat, Felix, with an air weapon.

Suzanne Webber, from Van Dyke Close, St Julians, Newport, is warning other cat and dog owners to be vigilant after seven-year-old Felix was shot in the upper front of his right leg.

Mother-of-one Miss Webber, aged 33, said: "I let him out on Sunday night and when he came back he was limping.

"He was crying in pain during the night, so I took him to the vet and was shocked to find he was shot.

"I want to warn other pet owners about this in case these scum strike again.

"What sort of person would do this to an animal?

"There are some sick people around and they should think of the consequences.

"Felix is a homey cat who doesn't wander far, so it must have been someone nearby."

She said Felix was lucky, as the vet told her many pets died through trauma after being shot.

Miss Webber, a part-time cleaner, was told by her own vet that Felix may have to have his leg amputated, at a cost of £150.

When she said she could not afford the fee she was put in touch with national animal charity PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals).

They operated on Felix yesterday morning and saved his leg, but could not remove the pellet.

The veterinary bill of £253 was paid for by PDSA.

A PDSA spokeswoman said: "Airgun shootings of cats and dogs are sadly not unusual.

"We have noticed it has been on the increase in the last few years, and cats tend to be targeted more as they wander about."

She said the charity carried out a million free treatments a year for those who could not afford private veterinary care.