The RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after a cat was shot in the eye with an air rifle.
Black cat Mikey was shot on Thursday April 28, in the Valley Meadow Close, in the Pantside of Newbridge.
The cat returned home at around 11.30pm with his eye injury and his owner rushed him to the emergency vets. The eye could not be saved.
Following an x-ray at the vets, it was also discovered that Mikey had been previously shot and a pellet was found lodged in his chest. It is unknown when this shooting took place.
RSPCA inspector Izzi Hignell said: “It appears that this poor cat has been shot in the eye deliberately. It is horrible to think of the pain he went through.
“Mikey is lucky to be alive, it is shocking that this may have been the second time he has been attacked.
“We don’t know who could have done this, so we are appealing for information. Anyone with information about this incident should contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018. Calls are treated in confidence.”
Owner Chelsea Andrews said despite Mikey being shot straight through the eye, he is on the road to recovery.
“He has had his final stitches out and he is healing,” she said. “The other pellet in his chest has been there for a while, but luckily it is not causing him any problems.
“The first couple of days he was so down and just wanted to be on his own. We were getting worried he wouldn’t pull through but he is coming around.”