A HAMPSHIRE cat owner is offering a reward to catch the gunman who left her beloved pet fighting for its life after blasting it with an air rifle.

It is a miracle that Cindy (a male cat) is alive following the shooting that left vets with no choice but to amputate his leg in order to save his life.

Now, owner Sharon Burridge wants the culprits to be caught before a cat gets killed or children are injured.

The attack comes just a week after the Daily Echo reported on a similar shooting in Thornhill, which left Theo the cat with a broken leg - see video below.

Theo the cat, who was shot in Thornhill.

Sharon was shocked when she found her family’s 12-yearold tabby in the garden of their Park Gate home, crying in pain and with a gaping hole in his chest.

She rushed him to the vets where she was told that Cindy had been shot by an air gun and his life hung in the balance.

But, despite his age, he pulled through and after vets amputated his front left leg was able to return home with Sharon, her husband Rod and their two sons Richard, 19 and Andrew, 21.

Sharon, 44, of Red Oaks Drive, said: “It was touch and go at times but thankfully he has pulled through surgery. It is a miracle that he is still here with us, especially because of his age.

“It’s such a heartless thing to do. I want to warn other pet owners to keep on their guard.

“We are offering a £50 reward for information that leads to a conviction because I want to make sure this person is stopped before the worst happens and a child is injured.”

Police are investigating the shooting and are keen to track down the person responsible for what they have called “an extremely callous and inexcusable act of cruelty”.

Anyone with any information should contact Park Gate police station on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.