A WOMAN has slammed sick thugs who shot her cat with an air rifle. Nicola Blunden, 32, of Hunters Hall Road, Dagenham, took three-year-old Teddy to the vet on Friday after the cat started limping. She was shocked when an operation revealed a rifle pellet

A WOMAN has slammed sick thugs who shot her cat with an air rifle.

Nicola Blunden, 32, of Hunters Hall Road, Dagenham, took three-year-old Teddy to the vet on Friday after the cat started limping.

She was shocked when an operation revealed a rifle pellet lodged in Teddy's side.

Miss Blunden said: "I couldn't believe it when they said she'd been shot. I thought she'd just fallen funny or knocked herself.

"I have know idea why anyone would want to do this to her.

"It must have happened round here as she never ventures far."

Vets removed the pellet and Teddy is now recovering at home.

Miss Blunden hopes the lucky escape will be a warning to fellow pet-owners

She said: "Hopefully, other owners will just keep an eye out for their pets and be careful."

"Otherwise it might be worse next time.