A FAMILY have spoken of their devastation after their beloved pet cat was left fighting for its life after being shot in the throat with an air rifle.

Between 9.30pm and midnight, on August 10, a high-powered air gun was used to shoot Sue Hems’ cat, Honey. The pellet entered her throat, perforating the trachea and lodging itself between the chest and lungs.

Sue, from Lacelles Gardens, Ashingdon, said: “We’re not sure exactly what happened, we’ve been told stories but nothing’s been verified. The bullet went in through her throat and is lodged between her trachea and oesophagus, she’s in intensive care but they’re taking their time to decide which operation to do because the injuries are very serious.”

At present, Honey is in a stable condition in the intensive care unit of the Royal Veterinary College, London, Sue and her family are now facing the additional worry that they will not be able to afford further treatment for Honey due to the maximum payout on their insurance.

Sue added: “Our insurance only goes up to £3,000 and they’ve said depending on the operation it could cost anywhere from £5,000 to £8,000. We have another vets bill as well because this wasn’t the first place we took her.”

When Sue found Honey on Thursday evening she though she has been in a “fight” as did the emergency vet at Medivet, in Eastwoodbury Lane, Southend. It wasn’t until the following morning when Sue’s vet at Rochford Veterinary Surgery took an X-ray that they realised she had been shot. Sue said: “It’s just such an evil and barbaric thing to do. She’s a very distinctive and beautiful cat, maybe that’s what made her a sitting target.”

Sue has since been informed by a number of people that a group of youths who live nearby have been reported for shooting birds.

Assistant Director of the RSPCA, Dermot Murphy said: “It is a depressing fact that every year hundreds of victims of airgun attacks are reported to the RSPCA. The most targeted animal are domestic cats that often suffer fatal or life-changing injuries.”

Sue has set up a fundraising page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nigel-longman