AN owner has spoken out after her beloved cat suffered a “painful and distressing death” after being shot by an air rifle.

Wilma, a ten-year-old tabby cat, was injured by pellets shot from a high-velocity air rifle, which narrowly missed her heart.

She had been last seen by her owners, a retired couple, less than an hour before the tragic incident, which took place at the Ongar allotments, in Castle Street on May 1.

Her owner, who asked not to be named, has been devastated by Wilma’s death.

She said: “It’s been a real body blow to us. It’s mindboggling that someone could do such a thing.

“I saw her at about 8.30am and then soon after heard a loud noise, likeadoor closing.

“I could see Wilma hadn’t come in and it was like my sixth sense kicked in. I went to look for her and found her in the allotments.

“I gathered her up and a gentleman ran to my aid and said she had been shot.

“This has caused so much heartache for the whole family, it’s been devastating.

“It’s worrying as it means there is someone out there with a loaded weapon.

“This person needs to be brought to justice.”

RSPCA inspector Adam Jones said: “Poor Wilma was shot with a high-velocity air rifle.

“It seems likely someone was aiming straight for her.

“The vet believes she’s unlikely to have died instantly; it would have been a painful and very distressing way to die – as well as a completely unnecessary and callous attack on an animal.”

Anyone with information is urged to call the RSPCA on 0300 1238018.