A THUG left a cat with two fractured bones after shooting it with a BB gun.

The black and white moggie, named Doris, was left with a pellet embedded in her leg following the mindless attack, which is thought to have happened during the afternoon or evening on Friday.

Owner Jamie Smith, who lives with his partner Mark Taylor in Spenders Close, Basildon, noticed something was wrong when the normally affectionate feline stayed in her bed.

The 25-year-old, a Post Office worker, said: “She normally comes in at about 10pm or 11pm but when I got out of the bath at about 9.30pm, I saw that she was laying by the side of her bed.

“I put it down to it raining outside. I went to bed at 10.30pm and she would normally jump on the bed to say goodnight.

“She has always done it since she was a kitten but this time she didn’t and I knew instantly that something was wrong.

“I turned on the light and there was blood everywhere - there was blood gushing from her foot.”

Mr Smith asked his neighbour, who is training to be a vet, to come over, who then said that the pellet could be seen embedded in a bone.

Doris was rushed to Cherrydown Vets in Basildon and an X-ray was carried out, which confirmed the injuries.

The cat underwent an operation on Monday to remove the pellet and save her leg.

Mr Smith said: “The vet told us that the worst scenario would be that she would have a limp for the rest of her life.

“She has got to have splints put inside her leg to keep the bone supported.

“She is really lucky to come out OK because it was touch and go at one point.

“If I hadn’t have seen her, she could have died. I am just really upset about it.

“I thought around my area that nobody would be capable of doing something like that, but I was wrong.

“We think Doris was shot with a BB gun or an air rifle.

“There are loads of cats and dogs in my neighbourhood.

“It’s quite sickening that somebody thinks that this is just a bit of fun.”

Mr Smith, who now refused to let his other cat Orlando out of the house to keep him safe, is warning other pet owners to remain vigilant.

Following the attack, he has been landed with a £2,000 vet bill, which is covered by insurance apart from a £200 excess charge.

Tragically, Doris marks another case in a shocking number of cats shot by thugs wielding air weapons.

The British Veterinary Association says more than 40 per cent of its members have treated pets that were air gun victims.

Animal charities, including Cats Protection, are demanding a review of current age restrictions for air gun ownership.

Earlier this year, Scotland introduced legislation so that a licence will be needed to own an air gun.

Current laws in England allow anyone over the age of 18 to buy an air gun without a licence or any of the thorough checks police officers conduct before someone can legally own a shotgun, rifle or pistol.

Anyone with information about the attack on Doris can call Essex Police on 101.