THROOP cat Sheldon was left fighting for his life after being shot with an air pellet last week.

The three-year-old tabby, who was shot on Tuesday, had to undergo a three-hour overnight operation in which he had a kidney removed and two holes in his intestines sewn up.

It was the second attack with an air weapon on a cat in a week after six-year-old Pebbles was shot in Christchurch on May 26.

Sheldon’s owner, David Ross, of Wood Row, said: “Our son told us Sheldon looked ill. We were very worried but we couldn’t see what was wrong with him.

“It was only when we took him to the vet the following day that they discovered a 5mm hole in his side. The pellet had sliced through his body and done some very nasty damage, and the vet said he could well die.

“Fortunately thanks to his operation, antibiotics and after care he is making a good recovery.”

Sheldon was kept in at the surgery for several days after the attack so his condition could be monitored, but he is now recovering back at home with fellow feline Penny and the rest of the family.

Due to his loss of a kidney he will need a special diet for the rest of his life.

Mr Ross said his family hoped that by telling Sheldon’s story they might help prevent future attacks. They have reported it to the police.

“I am 58 and all my life there have been stories of people shooting cats with air guns,” he said.

“It is possible people don’t realise the damage these weapons do. They seem like toys but they are deadly to animals.”

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Cats like Sheldon are sadly often the victims of attacks like this as they spend a lot of time outside.

“Despite his nasty injuries, we are really pleased to hear that Sheldon has pulled through this horrific incident and is now on the mend. Although attacks like this seem to be quite rare in Bournemouth, in the last year we have received over 120 complaints nationally about cats being attacked with air rifles, and cruelty of this nature does unfortunately seem to be on the rise in other parts of the country.”

Report animal cruelty to the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.