Callous thugs tortured and killed a cat by shooting it with an air rifle over the course of two attacks.
The black cat named Tilly was left outside overnight between Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5.
But when the pet returned home to Lees Close in Dalton it was found on Sunday morning with wounds to the pelvis and chest.
The male cat was later put to sleep as a result of its injuries.
Following examination by a vet, it was established that the wound to the chest was approximately 10 days old with the wound to the pelvis more recent and the shot that killed him.
The pellets removed from the cat were from a 2.2 air weapon.
Sarah Hebda, Head Nurse at Anrich Veterinary Surgery in Aspley said: “It was a male cat which had been shot in its chest and by its pelvis which had struck the intestine and caused fatal injuries.
“He had been to another vets the weekend before and came to us on the morning of Tuesday 7th.
“The cat wasn’t very well at all and too ill to survive his injuries.
“We put him to sleep the following day.”
But Ms Hebda said sadly pellet attacks on cats are becoming more common.
She added; “We do see them and its not as rare as you would think. I does seem when there is one there is a few of them. It’s awful to see.
“Tilly was a family pet and her owners were really upset.”
Inspector Jon Dunkerley said: “This incident has understandably deeply affected the cat’s owners, made worse by the fact that we now know the pet was targeted on more than one occasion.
“If anyone has seen anyone with an air weapon in the Lees Close area or has heard anything on the grapevine about who may be responsible I would urge them to make contact.
“Information can either be given to the Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team: on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111 .”
In unrelated investigations, police would like to speak to the people pictured in the image gallery below. The people pictured in the images may be witnesses as well as suspects. If you recognise anyone, contact police on 101 quoting the reference number on the image caption.
