A BELOVED pet cat is recovering after he was shot with an air gun and had to undergo surgery to have a leg saved. The owner of two-year-old Chilli, Colin Penman of Lingfield Road in Stevenage, said he was horrified to discover his cat had been shot. He sa

A BELOVED pet cat is recovering after he was shot with an air gun and had to undergo surgery to have a leg saved.

The owner of two-year-old Chilli, Colin Penman of Lingfield Road in Stevenage, said he was horrified to discover his cat had been shot.

He said Chilli had been missing for several hours last week and when he eventually found him he was unable to lift his right paw and growled when he tried to touch him.

A visit to the vet and an x-ray revealed a pellet embedded in the top of his leg, which had shattered the bone.

Colin called it a "sick crime" and said "it disgusts me that there is someone cruel enough to shoot an innocent young cat that would not cause any harm to anyone".

Chilli had to undergo surgery at the Royal Veterinary College in Potters Bar, to have his leg rebuilt and pins put in place. He must now wear a brace for six to 12 weeks.

Colin, 30, said he had been told if the surgery had been unsuccessful, it would have been necessary to amputate Chilli's leg.

He said: "We have always let our cats out onto the green, where they do no harm to any of our neighbours.

"We will no longer be able to let out Chilli or our other two cats, which is so sad because they love it outside, but it is just too dangerous. Who knows what will happen next time?