Fears gunman is targeting cats in Wendlebury after pet shot with air rifle

Bella was shot by a mystery air rifle gunman in the quiet village of Wendlebury (Picture: Vicki Waskett)

A cat owner fears a gunman is attacking pets in her village after her cat was shot by an air rifle.

Vicki Waskett’s cat Bella,four,was shot on May 22 and needed emergency surgery.

Residents of Wendlebury,near Bicester,don’t feel safe as the mystery gunman remains on the loose.

Bella,a timid half-Burmese half-tabby cat who doesn’t roam far,was rushed to the vet after returning home with an odd puncture wound on her leg that was gushing blood.

Vicky believes the shot was aimed at a vital organ (Picture: Vicki Waskett)

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.Vets soon discovered a 1cm long pellet lodged in her.The mum-of-two told Metro: ‘I was horrified,absolutely horrified. I cried all the way home.‘They were aiming for a vital organ. I couldn’t think of anybody who would want to do that. It’s a village where people generally feel quite safe.‘Somebody out there close by,potentially one of our neighbours,has got evil intent.’The vets confirmed she had been shot with an air rifle or BB gun,and once the pellet had been removed,it appeared to come from a small rifle.Bella needed a metal rod and pins to be placed in her leg in surgery.Vicki feels scared to stay in Wendlebury (Picture: Vicki Waskett)

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Vicki has taken to local Facebook pages,WhatsApp groups and reported the incident to Thames Valley Police to try get answers about who shot Bella.

The mum,who owns two other cats,added: ‘I actually wanted to move house after I found out.

‘I don’t think I will ever feel safe,because when the cats go out,I will always be a bit more nervous.

‘I hope whoever did this feels a bit ashamed.’

Bella needed a surgery on her leg to walk freely again (Picture: Vicki Waskett)

Her son William,20,determined to help,has also been out knocking on doors in Wendlebury in hopes of finding answers.

Vicki believes Bella was shot in Wendlebury but is unsure whether the shooters live in the town or were just passing through.

Cat Protection has been campaigning for the introductory licensing of air guns to stop ‘cruel air gun attacks’ on cats.

They told Metro there were 53 media reports of cats being shot with air guns in 2024 and already eight so far this year.

Their campaigns manager Stefan Blakiston Moore,added: ‘These numbers are only the tip of the iceberg. It is something that comes up a lot more than we expect.

At least 54 cats like Bella were shot last year (Picture: Vicki Waskett)

‘It is horrific. Sadly,in many situations,air gun attacks can be fatal.

‘From media reports alone,around 30% of those that were reported across the UK were fatal.

‘These weapons are sometimes in the hands of the wrong people who are wishing to do harm to people’s pets.’

Thames Valley Police are investigating.