A DISTRESSED pet owner believes one of her neighbours could be the shooter who fired at her cat from close range.

Linda Vaughan says her family has been left shocked by the air rifle attack on four-year-old Patch.

He managed to get home to St Kilda Road, Orpington, before collapsing in front of her and she initially thought he had been poisoned by mistakenly eating poison put out for foxes.

But when she got him to the vet they told her he had been shot and he had to undergo a major operation to remove an air rifle pellet which went through his liver, the spleen and a kidney.

Mrs Vaughan is unsure whether he will survive.

She said: “I feel very distressed by it all.

“He was shot at very close range so we do not think it was accidental.

“Patch is very lethargic and we are not sure if he still has internal bleeding.

“We are giving as much tender loving care as we can at the moment.”

The social worker added: “We know what gardens he goes into and it looks like one of those people has shot him and that really does distress me.

“We have lived where we live for 25 years and we have always had a pet cat and I cannot believe that one of my neighbours has done this to him.”

The family has leafleted their area about the shooting which happened at around 7pm on July 15 and is warning other pet owners to be on the lookout for their animals.

RSPCA inspector Andrew Kirby said: "This poor cat was shot at close range and is very lucky to be alive.

“We would like to hear from anyone with any information on who shot this cat.

“We would not hesitate to prosecute for the suffering caused."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RSPCA in confidence on 03001 234999.