A furious woman has told how her cat was millimetres from death when it was shot with a pellet gun.

Vets told Surinder Sandhu that the pellet only avoided piercing two-year-old Guntas’s lung because it became embedded in her stomach.

Mrs Sandhu, of Shetland Close, Bradford, said: “She would have had to be put down if it had got into her lung.”

The attack happened on Monday at about noon and left Mrs Sandhu seething at the cruelty of some people.

She said: “I was fuming to tell you the truth. There are some cruel, heartless people out there. I am still angry and annoyed about it a few days later.

“Your pets are your pets and you get attached.”

The attack, which left Mrs Sandhu with a vets’ bill of £365, happened when she briefly popped home from work.

She said Guntas had been playing about alongside her other two cats when she realised something was wrong.

Mrs Sandhu said: “She had blood all over her tummy. I thought she had been cut on a twig or something.

“I took her to the vet and they rang later to say she had been shot with a pellet gun. The pellet had to stay inside her because the vet said it would be too traumatic for Guntas if it was taken out.”

She added: “The attack has left me worried to let my cats out. A lot of people in my area have cats and I want to make others aware to keep an eye out so this doesn’t happen again.”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police were called to Shetland Close on April 23 to reports that a cat had been shot the previous day at around midday. The pet had been taken to the vet for treatment to its abdomen.

“A neighbourhood policing team officer visited the owner to discuss the matter and enquiries remain ongoing as to those responsible.”

Anyone who witnessed the shooting, or anyone with any information, should contact Bradford South police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.