The RSPCA has said it will take action against people who are found to have deliberately targeted animals with airguns - after a male cat died following an incident in Crewe.

In January, a concerned homeowner took the cat to a vet after he was found in a collapsed state, gasping for breath and unable to walk, in her garden in Fanshawe Walk.

At first it was thought that he may have been poisoned, but an X-ray later confirmed the cat had sadly been shot with an airgun - with a pellet becoming lodged in one of his lungs.

The cat was found in a collapsed state, gasping for breath and unable to walk in a Fanshawe Walk garden (Google).

His injuries were so serious that the vet made the decision to put him to sleep to prevent further suffering. 

Nearly 150 reports of domestic and wild animals being targeted with air weapons were reported to the RSPCA last year, with cats and wild birds being the most common victims. 

RSPCA animal rescue officer Fay Bowers, who has made door-to-door enquiries in Crewe and put up posters, said: "We'd like to thank the very kind lady who took this poor cat to the vet.

"We was clearly in a very distressed state and needed urgent veterinary treatment following this cruel and callous attack.

Cheshire Police officers investigated the cat death incident in Crewe (Cheshire Police).

"I've made enquiries in the local area and put up posters, but because he wasn't microchipped or wearing a collar, it makes it more difficult to track down who he might have belonged to.

"We'd urge people in the local area to come forward with any first-hand information and to report suspicious activity to us."

The RSPCA advocates microchipping as the most reliable way of ensuring that cat owners are reunited with their pets should they become lost, injured or stolen.

The animal welfare charity also believes it could help to tackle welfare issues for cats, including abandonments.

Anyone with information about the Crewe airgun shooting should contact the RSPCA's inspectorate appeal line (RSPCA).

Anyone with information about the Crewe airgun shooting should contact the RSPCA's inspectorate appeal line, in confidence, on 0300 123 8018.  

READ MORE: Plans submitted to convert former Crewe taxi company office into new flat.

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