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A three-year-old cat was shot with an air rifle in Gelligaer, the RSPCA has said.

The animal welfare charity has launched an appeal for witnesses to come forward. The organisation has said the shooting took place some time between 6am and 8am on Friday, October 1.

Vets later confirmed the cat had been shot and found a metal pellet in her body. The pellet cannot be removed – as vets feel surgery could be too risky. The cat is said to have been recovering well from the attack after being treated with pain medication.

An RSPCA spokesperson said the shooting took place at the “bottom end of Gelligaer”.

RSPCA inspector Gemma Black said: “It is so shocking to think somebody in the Hengoed area has targeted an innocent cat in this way.”

Between January 2020 and the end of June 2021, 371 incidents have been reported to the RSPCA’s emergency line about animals reportedly targeted by an air gun or rifle.

Anyone with information can contact the charity on 0300 123 8018.