A FAMILY has spoken of their disgust after their cat was used as target practice by an air rifle-welding attacker.

When 18-month-old Figley started to act strangely the Grey family of Grange Park knew that something had to be wrong.

Concerned that he may have been hit by a car, they rushed him to Shaw Veterinary Centre where they were told he had been shot with an air rifle.

"He had been acting a bit funny for a few days but that isn't really unusual for him," said Nick Grey, 44.

He said that on Friday afternoon Figley came in from outside and went straight into his 13-year-old daughter Molly's room and cowered under the bed.

It is not known when the cat was shot as the wound had already healed over.

"It is disgusting how anyone can do anything like this," said Mr Grey.

"Sometimes they might be a pain digging up the garden but that doesn't mean they deserve to be shot."

The cat was shot in the stomach and the pellet ended up in his leg muscle.

Claire Broadhurst, a veterinary nurse at the practice, said that this type of injury is relatively common.

"This is the first air gun pellet injury we've had for a little while.

"It is awful but unfortunately it does happen. Children tend to use cats as target practice.

"They use the different colours of multi-coloured cats to target and improve their shot.

"The poor little thing was in a lot of pain when he was brought in and we had to operate to remove the pellet."

There was also concern after a cat was brought in to the practice from the Sparcells' area with suspected poisoning.

"Unfortunately he didn't make it," said Claire.

"But I haven't heard of any other cats being brought in from that area with suspected poisoning."

Jackie Thom, the homing welfare officer for Wootton Bassett and District Cats Protection Group, described the attack as awful.

"It is dreadful that it happens and I hope that the new animal welfare bill will help people to take more action against those that commit this kind of act.

"I don't think gun laws are very good in this country any way.

"It could be a child that's shot the cat."

She said that it isn't the first time the group has heard of cats being shot or poisoned.

"You hear about neighbours threatening to poison next door's cat," she said.

"And shotgun pellet wounds have been becoming more common in recent years."

The penalty if convicted of animal cruelty is up to six months in prison and or up to a £5,000 fine.

Julie Knight, regional spokes-woman for the RSPCA, said: "The RSPCA notices a rise in shooting incidents during school holidays and when evenings get lighter, indicating that youngsters may be responsible for these mindless attacks on pets and wildlife."

She added: "We welcome the Violent Crime Reduction Bill currently progressing through Parliament as it will raise the legal age from 14 to17 when someone can purchase an air gun."