Police are hunting a gunman who has shot and killed two cats in the Waterside area

Police are warning residents with pets to be vigilant after two moggies were shot dead within weeks of each other.

Officers believe that whoever is responsible is armed with an air rifle and has been targeting the cats close to homes in the Waterside.

The latest victim was six-month-old kitten Meeps, who was found dead in the garden of a family home, having suffered an airgun wound.

Just a month ago, the kitten’s mother Smudge was shot at close range by someone brandishing an air rifle.

She suffered devastating injuries to her internal organs and had to be put to sleep.

Owner Skye Hackett, who lives in Bower Close in Holbury with husband Darren and their baby son Max, said that the killings have left her heartbroken and furious.

Skye Hackett with Meeps the kitten, husband Darren and son Max

She said: “I could not believe it really, to go out there and see that the same thing has happened and there is nothing I can do about it.

“You have to trust your cat to go out on its own and hope that something like this does not happen.”

‘Affectionate’ Skye, an administrator at Fawley refinery, said that she had been keeping an extra-close eye on the kitten after Smudge was shot in October.

She added: “Meeps was the most affectionate, fun-loving cat in the world – he would not be left alone.

“He thought he was human, loved his belly rubs and being cuddled up like a baby, or playing hide and seek.”

Skye with Smudge, Meeps' mother who was also shot dead

Skye, 22, also has another cat – three-year-old Marmite – who she fears could also be targeted by the gunman.

Police are now warning pet owners in the area to be alert and are reminding people that anyone caught deliberately using an airgun to injure animals could face prison and a £20,000 fine.

PCSO Mark Atrill said: “We are concerned as this is the second incident in the space of a month where a domestic animal has been killed with an air rifle.

“The area we are talking about is to the rear of the victim’s property in Bower Close, which backs onto properties in Studley Avenue.

“We are urging anyone with information to come forward so we can prevent another incident like this from taking place. We advise local residents with domestic animals to check them regularly for injuries of a similar nature, and to report any suspicious activity.”