AIRGUN-TOTING yobs are shooting and injuring many Huddersfield pets.

The most common targets are cats.

Huddersfield vet Michael Hancock said he sees many animals at his surgery that have been wounded with airgun pellets.

Mr Hancock, who works at Donaldson and Partners vets in Aspley, said: "Pellet wounds are fairly common. Often we find them only when the cat is with us for something else.

"They might show up on an X-ray, for example but owners may not even be aware the cat has been shot, as the pellets are not always causing a problem."

Mr Hancock was speaking after treating a badly-injured cat, which had been shot with an airgun on Haughs Road in Quarmby.

The male cat, Roamer, was rushed to Mr Hancock and had emergency surgery after being shot in the stomach.

Roamer was in a critical condition but is now on the mend.

Roamer's owner- who picked him up as a stray three years ago - says he rarely leaves the street and thinks he must have been shot there.

She added that youngsters have been using airguns in the area.

When she reported the incident to Huddersfield police, she was told there was little they could do.

Roamer's owner, who did want to be named, said: "I was quite annoyed about it. It is not just them shooting animals that is a worry, it is what else they are going to shoot.

"In my opinion, no matter what type of gun it is, people should be licensed to have one and should not be carrying it around."

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police said matters involving airguns are taken seriously and Roamer's incident was being investigated.

She said: "Such a malicious act of cruelty is concerning and deeply upsetting for the complainant.

"It is illegal to fire or carry any type of offensive weapon in a public place."

Contact Huddersfield help desk on 01484 436659.