Vicious gun attacks leave pet cats blind and injured

Isis had to have her entire eye removed after being shot with an air rifle Credit: BPM Media (Midlands)

Cruel thugs have left a family's pet cats blind and injured after shooting them in the face in two separate attacks in Leicestershire.

The gunmen used a powerful air rifle to target one family’s beloved moggies near their home in Heath Lane in Earl Shilton.

An investigation has now been launched.

Owners Emma Taft and Simon Shepherdson - who only recently moved to the area - say they fear the shooter could go on to maim or kill other animals if they are not caught.

Accounts manager Emma, aged 41, said she believes the vicious attacks first started in May - but it was only recently the true extent of the animals’ injuries came to light.

One of the cats, Freya, returned home on May 26 with a cut under her eye - but as she did not appear to be in pain, they guessed she had simply been in a cat fight or caught her face on some brambles.

Freya was also shot, leaving her with a cut beneath her eye Credit: BPM Media (Midlands)

But then, not long afterwards, three-year-old Isis came home crying with blood dripping from her right eye. They rushed her to a vet, who gave them medication to treat the wound.

Isis was taken into surgery the same day, removing her right eye.

Emma said she and Simon are now cat-proofing their garden to keep them close - and until then, are keeping the cats housebound.

The pellet removed by the vet has been turned over to the police for ballistic examination.