Alarm sounded after gunman targets cats

Autumn the cat, belonging to Cheryl Williams was shot in the leg with a pellet gun. The pellet has now been removed and Cheryl is waiting to see whether or not Autumn's hind leg needs to be amputated.

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A CAT owner has called on residents to be vigilant after her beloved pets were targeted with air guns for a third time.

Cheryl Williams, of Chadderton, said her precious tortoiseshell cat Autumn has "lost everything" after she was shot in the leg.

When the eight-month-old moggie returned home limping, she was taken to a Failsworth vets in efforts to minimise the damage.

But she now risks losing her leg because her owner was unable to pay a hefty bill to remove the pellet.

Cheryl was left distraught when two of her other tortoiseshell cats ­- Mesha and Tia ­- were shot in 2014.

The 47-year-old, who currently has four feline friends, said: "I'm disgusted at what has gone on. This is the third time in three years. My cat was on life support and might lose a leg. Mesha died because she was shot in the leg and her mother Tia lost her leg a few months later.

"It went quiet for two years but I'm concerned someone may have come back into the area. I feel as though I'm being targeted."

When Cheryl took Autumn to the Animal Trust Veterinary Surgery in Ashton Road East, she was asked to pay £300 to cover the cost of removing the pellet.

They were referred to the RSPCA for an operation to remove the pellet because Cheryl was unable to pay the fee. She is not currently in work due to health problems. Cheryl, who has had Autumn since she was eight weeks old, said: "When she came in limping, I panicked as I thought she had been hit by a car.

"She has been crying and in pain and could lose her leg."

Autumn will have her stitches removed tomorrow but will have to wait up to six weeks to find out whether her leg must be amputated.

Suspicious

The incident has been reported to Greater Manchester Police and Cheryl has set about raising awareness, calling on residents to report any suspicious activity.

She said: "I want people to be vigilant. If anyone has any information or has seen anything suspicious please report it.

"We need to stop this so it doesn't get to the stage where they will be locked in the house to protect them."