A leading animal welfare charity is appealing for help after a cat was shot dead with a powerful air rifle.
The RSPCA has launched the appeal after the 10-year-old tabby was found dead at an allotment site in Castle Street, Ongar, on May 1 at just after 9.20am.
Wilma, was last seen by her owner an hour before at 8.30am and a bang, which may have been the air rifle, was heard at around 8.50am.
Lead RSPCA inspector, Adam Jones, said: "Poor Wilma was shot with a high velocity air rifle which just missed the heart.
"It seems likely someone was aiming straight for her.
"The vet believes she is unlikely to have died instantly, so would have suffered as a result.
"It would have been a painful and very distressing way to die, as well as a completely unnecessary and callous attack on an animal.
"Unfortunately this kind of thing more common than we would like.
"Cats, like wildlife, are more vulnerable to such attacks simply because they are out there in the open unprotected.
"The injuries which result can be horrific and often fatal."
Anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.
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