A CAT had a lucky escape after it survived being shot in the leg by an air rifle.

Esmee, a half-Siamese white cat with distinctive ginger and black markings, was found with a lump on her foot at Pembroke Avenue in Corringham.

Her owners took her to the vet on Monday, June 29, where it was discovered that there was a pellet lodged in her leg.

Fortunately the vet was able to operate on Esmee straight away and she has now made a good recovery.

RSPCA inspector Marie Hammerton said: “In this instance Esmee survived without too much long-term damage - but she would have suffered a great deal of pain and very easily might not have been so lucky.

“The pellet which was found lodged in her leg was really nasty and attacks of these kind can be very serious - and often fatal.

“We do not know exactly when this attack happened, but we think some time last week. The lump was in a place which was not obvious at first, and it was only when Esmee became uncharacteristically clingy and seemed to be obviously suffering some kind of pain that they found it. It was a shock to then learn she had been shot.

"Unfortunately this kind of thing is more common than we would like. Cats, like wildlife, are more vulnerable to such attacks simply because they are out there in the open, unprotected.

Anyone with information about this incident can call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.