A horrific shot gun attack on a cat at close range has led to the one-year-old pet having his left leg amputated.When Milo returned to his home in Ormseby, near Yarmouth, he was limping and could not put weight on his left fore leg.

A horrific shot gun attack on a cat at close range has led to the one-year-old pet having his left leg amputated.

When Milo returned to his home in Ormseby, near Yarmouth, he was limping and could not put weight on his left fore leg.

At first his worried owner, Pauline Dixon, feared he had been in a traffic accident and contacted Haven Veterinary Surgery.

But when the cat was x-rayed vets were shocked to find fragments of shotgun pellets in his leg and chest.

Milo was so badly injured that vets decided that the only option was to amputate his left limb

Mrs Dixon, of Yarmouth Road, said: “Milo rarely leaves home for more than an hour and stays nearby, so it is very worrying to think that he was shot so close to home.

“This has been so traumatic, not only for Milo, but for our family. Words cannot express what I think of the person who did this and I hope someone knows who was behind the attack and comes forward.”

The shotgun attack happened sometime between Tuesday, May 26 and the morning of Thursday, May 28.

RSPCA inspector Ben Kirby said: “Sadly airgun and shotgun attacks are all too common. We believe Milo may have been shot in his chest at quite close range and it is lucky that he managed to get himself home.

“It is extremely worrying to think that anyone believes it is somehow acceptable to target an animal and then leave it to suffer in this way.”

People found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to animals could face a maximum six-month prison sentence and/or a �20,000 fine per offence.

Anyone with information about the shooting should contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 and ask to leave a message for Inspector 970 Ben Kirby.