The RSPCA has issued a warning to pet owners after a cat was found with serious injuries following a suspected airgun attack in west London.
The cat, named Ceaser, was taken to a vet by a member of the public who had been feeding him after noticing he was injured in Feltham.
Following checks and an x-ray, vets discovered airgun pellets lodged in his hip and right front leg.
The injuries had gone untreated for some time, with bone beginning to calcify around one of the pellets. Vets are now considering amputating the leg as the pellet cannot be removed.
Image: RSPCA
Ceaser was not microchipped and is currently recovering at the RSPCA Hillingdon Animal Clinic. If no owner comes forward, he will be rehomed.
The RSPCA is now appealing for information both to help trace the cat’s owner and to establish what happened.
Animal Rescue Officer Sam Matthews said: “We know from the x-ray that poor Caesar has been targeted by someone shooting airgun pellets, and two have become lodged in his body. This will have been terrifying and very painful, and had he not been brought into vets then the injuries would have only worsened.
“Airgun attacks on animals is such unnecessary cruelty, and we are really keen for anyone in the Feltham area with information about this incident to contact us so we can investigate further.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01794183.
The charity says it receives almost 1,000 calls each year linked to animals being targeted in airgun attacks.
Image: RSPCA
Sam added: “Cats and wildlife are the animals most susceptible to being shot simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them. Sadly, air gun attacks are not rare and the injuries caused can be horrific and often fatal.”
RSPCA figures released in 2024 showed a 30 per cent increase in reported airgun attacks on cats across England and Wales, with 70 incidents reported compared to 54 the previous year.
The charity also said London recorded the second-highest number of incidents involving animals attacked with air guns, catapults or crossbows, with 31 reports between 2022 and 2024.
Sam added: “We want to see a world where every kind of animal is treated with compassion and respect and deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty should be consigned to the past.
“We continue to call for tighter controls on air weapons. This, along with better education and explanation of the law when buying an air gun, and requirements that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop could help relieve the problem.”
Chris Mitchell is founder and editor of Harrow Online. Covering breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning and events across Harrow and surrounding areas.