A SECOND CAT has died after being shot by an air rifle in Holbury.

The latest attack happened in Holbury on Wednesday and saw Skye Hackett’s cat Smudge put down after being shot at close range.

Skye, 22, had owned the 18-month-old since April last year. The cat gave birth to a litter just four months before the attack.

Mrs Hackett, who lives in Bower Close, did not realise that Smudge had been shot, as fur was covering up the bullet mark, but she realised something was wrong when the cat started throwing up what she described as ‘white foam’ on Wednesday evening.

She took her to the Pet Healthcare Centre in Hythe the following morning where the vet realised that Smudge had been shot. An X-ray revealed an airgun pellet punctured her lungs, liver, gall bladder, kidneys and intestines.

The beloved pet was then put to sleep.

It comes just days after Katie Sibley’s cat, Kitty, was shot in the head ‘at close range’ in Rownhams and had to be put down on Monday.

Police are investigating both incidents but say they are not connected.

Skye, who works at Fawley refinery as an administrator, said: “She really suffered and there was nothing anyone could have done for her, the pellet went through absolutely everything inside her.”

“This is someone who has gone out of their way to do this to her, she did not go into anyone’s garden, she did not even go up to people.

“I do not understand why someone would be so cruel. Regardless of what a cat does, it is a vulnerable creature and shooting it is not the solution.”

Skye has two other cats – three-year-old Marmite and Smudge’s four-month-old kitten Meeps – and is scared that they may also be targeted.

Under the Animal Welfare Act, if someone is caught deliberately using an air weapon to injure animals, they could face a £20,000 fine and/or up to six months in prison.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “These attacks can be deliberate by people who just don’t care about hurting animals or are deliberately targeting animals because they consider them a nuisance.”

Hampshire police is investigating the attack. PC Dianne Emptage, said: “This is a cruel and completely unacceptable crime which has lead to the loss of a pet and caused a family a great deal of heartache.

“This is an unusual offence which will likely surprise and disgust local residents. It occurred in a residential area where it is quite possible that a neighbour, friend or family member will be aware of what happened.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.