POLICE have issued a strong warning to gun owners after a family's pet cat cheated death after being shot with a rifle bullet.

Vets had to amputate the front right leg of four-year-old tom Kevin after it was shattered by a .22 rifle bullet.

The bullet went through the cat's chest, narrowly missing its windpipe and lungs before coming to rest in its leg.

Owners the Wilding family, of Conistone, were horrified when the bullet was discovered.

"My kids were just gutted," said an angry Michael Wilding. "I had to explain to 11-year-old Thomas why anyone would want to try to kill his cat."

Now the family are faced with a £300 vets' bill following the shooting.

They first noticed something was wrong with Kevin when he came home limping.

"If someone knows who did this then all I would ask them to do is think about their actions," added Mr Wilding. "I thought at first that it was just an air rifle, but this bullet would've killed me.

"This is someone who the authorities have seen fit to give a gun licence and I still don't understand why they would do such a thing.

"I know cats are known to go digging in people's gardens, but who in their right mind would shoot a gun in their garden?"

PC Andy Smith, one of North Yorkshire Police's wildlife liaison officers, said the police would take appropriate action against anyone shooting domestic animals.

"People with firearms certificates should use those firearms in a responsible manner and for the purpose in which they are intended," he said.

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