A WOMAN was forced to have her beloved cat put down after it was shot with a pellet gun and paralysed.

Paula Fleat was on holiday when she was told her cat wasn’t behaving normally and was looking distressed. Oreo had also been lying awkwardly at home.

He was then taken to the vets after Paula’s mother Elizabeth Spooner realised something was not right.

They then discovered that he had a pellet lodged in him, leaving him paralysed down one side.

The five-year-old then had to be put to sleep.

Paula, 50, of Holbury, said: “I couldn’t believe it.

“I was on holiday at the time and my mother was taking care of him. I don’t know who would do such a horrible thing.

“I’ve had him since birth as his parents are also mine, and his father has also been really distressed.

“It wasn’t done by accident. He couldn’t have been far away when it happened either as he had to drag himself home.

“When I mentioned it on social media I was amazed at how many people this has happened to recently. I’m very distressed that this wasn’t an isolated incident and feel genuine fear for my other cats’ safety.”

“Oreo was a very much loved cat who suffered horrendously in his final hours, dragging himself home while paralysed on one side.”

It comes days after the Daily Echo reported that more than 100 airgun attacks on animals in Hampshire have been reported to the RSPCA over the last five years.

The national animal welfare charity has called for tougher legislation on weapons, with the figure set to reach a five-year high by the end of 2017.

Since 2012, 113 calls have been made to the RSPCA in Hampshire, the 13th highest in the country.

The police say although they have not launched an official investigation, they would urge anyone with information to come forward.

A statement from Hampshire Constabulary said: “We can confirm we received a report on July 11 that a cat had been shot in Larch Avenue, Hardley.

“The incident took place between 12.35pm on July 8 and 7am on July 9.

“A pellet was found in the cat’s body and it had to be put to sleep. Anyone with information, or who has any concerns about this or similar incidents, should call 101 quoting 44170265660.”