Police investigate shooting of cat with air rifle in Melton

Roger, who is five-years-old, appeared distressed after returning home one day to the Welby Lane area of Melton.

His owner, Maureen Stewart, thought he had been in a fight after finding he had a wound on one of his legs so she took him to the vets on Asfordby Road.

“The vet took an X-ray and said ‘he’s been shot and it’s broken his leg’,” said Maureen.

“I couldn’t believe someone could be so cruel.”

The treatment for Roger has so far cost her more than £1,000 because he isn’t insured.

He has a rod attached to his leg as a splint to help the broken bone heal but he remains subdued and sleeps a lot.

Maureen took Roger in as a kitten after her daughter, Sonia, found him wandering along Nottingham Road one day.

“Poor Roger has had an eventful life,” she added.

“He’s been run over by cars twice and now this so I think he only has about four lives left.

“I just hope the police catch who ever did this before they do it someone else’s cat.”

Police officers have visited Maureen but no witnesses to the shooting have so far come forward.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: “We received a report from a vet to say a cat owned by someone in the Welby Lane area of Melton had been brought in with a serious injury to its leg.

“The injury was consistent with the animal being shot by an air rifle.

“The incident has been placed on file for now because there are no lines of enquiry.

“But if anyone has any information about it we would like them to call us on 101.”