Pet cat abused in firework horror

A cat was shot dead with an air rifle and then had its body abused with a lit firework in West Yorkshire.

The short-haired, adult tabby cat was found with the firework inside it by a member of the public at Overthorpe Park, Dewsbury.

A veterinary surgeon said the animal died from being shot in the stomach with an airgun.

RSPCA Inspector Paula Todd said: "This is one of the saddest things I've come across during my time in the society."

She continued: "If anyone saw, heard or knows about this incident we are keen to hear from them urgently."

The charity added that between 4 - 6 November, 2005, a total of 255 firework-related calls were made to the RSPCA's cruelty hotline, compared to 140 in 2004.

Last year also saw an 82% increase in the number of calls to the RSPCA about distressed and injured animals on and around Bonfire Night.