AN appeal has been launched by the RSPCA after two cats were shot in or near Builth Wells – on the same day.

Lily, an 18-month old tabby cat, was found by her owners on the morning of September 13 in her bed at Church Cottage, Aberedw, with horrific injuries caused by two air gun pellets.

Vets confirmed the cat had been shot by an air weapon – and that sadly the extent of her injuries meant her front right leg had to be amputated.

It follows on from a previous story we reported on a month ago about Nala, who was found nursing her leg on September 13 by owner Dawn Clarke, and taken to the vets. Dawn was horrified to later find out the poorly leg was in fact a suspected air gun incident and vets advised that the best course of action was an amputation.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Aberedw area between the evening of Sunday, September 12, and the following morning has been urged to get in touch with the RSPCA.

Sadly, RSPCA officers regularly deal with animals targeted by air guns and between January 2020 and the end of June 2021, 371 incidents were reported to the charity where the caller believed an air gun or rifle had been used to target an animal.

There was even a separate cat shooting incident reported in Builth on the same day as Lily. Nala, an 18-month-old European shorthair, was found nursing her leg. An X-ray later in the day that the true horror of the incident. Nala’s leg was described as “shattered” – likely caused by a gun pellet – and vets told her the best way forward was to have her leg amputated.

Dawn, who lives in Builth’s Oaklands Crescent area, said she had been shocked by the number of messages she’d received from people since the incident informing her this sort of incident was common.

Dawn said: “Nala was holding her leg up so I took her to the vets this morning. He straight away said it needs an X-ray as he thinks its broken, so I left her and waited for the phone call from them to say what the damage was.

County Times: Nala was shot on what is believed to be the same day Nala was shot on what is believed to be the same day

“I never expected to hear them tell me our beautiful family cat has been shot. Her leg is shattered and the best way forward for her is to have it amputated.”

The shooting of Lily and Nala has prompted RSPCA Cymru to renew calls for greater regulation linked to the use of air guns – including better education for owners and a thorough explanation of the law.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Neill Manley said: “Lily's owners found her in her bed with nasty injuries – and sadly vets confirmed she had been shot twice by an air gun.

“It beggars belief why anybody would think it acceptable to take pot shots like this at an innocent animal, like Lily. Sadly, this is something our officers still see all too often and in 18 months from the start of 2020, some 371 incidents were reported to us.

“Anyone who has seen an air gun being used near Church Cottage at Aberedw near Builth Wells between September 12 and 13 should contact our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

“We're continuing to call for stricter regulations around owning an airgun, basic safety training for owners and a thorough explanation of the law, including outlining our legal obligations towards animals. This could help protect animals like Lily from such callous attacks in the future.”

Should you wish to support the work of the RSPCA, you can donate online. To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care, visit the website or call the donation line on 0300 123 8181.