A FAMILY says cats in their village are being used as target practice by people with air and pellet guns.

The Whitlam family’s pet was left blinded after being shot, and they are warning other pet owners in Cotford St Luke to be wary of a similar thing happening to their pets.

The family says it is their fourth cat to either disappear or be shot since they moved to the village.

In September, 2009, the Whitlams’ first cat disappeared, and last summer, two of their other cats, Garfield and Jerry, were shot on separate occasions in July and September.

This week, their black and white cat, Max, who has been in the family two years, came home with bloodon his fur and a deep cut on his eye.

Max survived, but is blind in one eye, and John Whitlam, who lives with his wife, Simone, and children, Amy, seven,Jack, nine, and Adam, 16, is convinced people near the village are shooting cats on purpose.

He said: “It’s not acceptable – I think someone has a scorecard against cats because it seems to happen at the same time every year in early and late summer.

“It’s horrific – not only is it very distressing for the children, it costs a fortune in vet’s fees.

“Jack’s a sensitive lad, so it has been really upsetting for him.

“We’ve had Max fixed up, but the vets dug pellets out of his body.

“I hear gunshots all the time, so I hope people can keep their eyes open to look out for this sort of thing.

“It can be difficult because cats like to roam, but people should keep their pets inside to keep them safe.”

Jon said heknows of other neighbours in the village who have noticed their cats being injured by gunshot wounds.

One neighbour, who Jon chose not to name, said their cat was shot in the leg and was close to having it amputated.

n Have you noticed a similar problem in your village?

Let us know at somerset countygazette.co.uk/news