Police warning over cat shootings

A growing number of cat shootings in Cheltenham has led police to warn people with pellet guns or air weapons that they can be traced by ammunition.

Gloucestershire police have had a number of reports of cats being shot in the Leckhampton and Prestbury areas.

Police say ballistic checks will be made on pellets retrieved from the bodies of injured animals.

Pc Sarah Ward said that in every case, animals and their owners had suffered considerable distress.

She said: "Many of the animals targeted belonged to elderly people who view their pets as part of the family - when one is injured or even killed it can have a devastating impact on them and their well being.

"However, once we have retrieved a pellet from an animal there is every chance forensic examinations will lead us to the specific weapon that fired the projectile and, subsequently, to the owner of that weapon."

Members of the public are urged to report any incidents involving the misuse of pellet guns to the police.