A GUNMAN is being hunted after two cats from the same home were shot with an air gun.

Paula Anderson, of Crossfields in Loughton, discovered that her six-year-old grey cat, Sarah, had been shot in the stomach and thigh and then just days later her other cat – a four-year-old black and white male, called Vinny, was shot in the shoulder.

The cats are both still recovering from the attacks which are being investigated by the RSPCA.

The shootings are among four cat mysteries which have hit the same street.

Miss Anderson said a neighbour had found her 15-year-old cat dead in the garden while another cat which lives in the same road is still missing.

Speaking about the attacks on her cats, she said: “The vet said they both lost some of their nine lives. They’ve both been extremely lucky.

“Sarah seems to have come out of it extremely well but Vinny has a limp.

“They have had to leave parts of the pellet in him – it would have caused so much damage to get it out.”

She added Vinny still has stitches in his wound and remains on antibiotics.

Miss Anderson, who has circulated leaflets through doors in the street appealing for information and has also reported the incidents to the police, said: “I can’t sleep. I’m staying up until 11.30pm looking out of the window.”

The RSPCA is investigating the shootings and appealing for anyone with any information to get in touch.

RSPCA Inspector Dawn Avery said: “It’s illegal to shoot animals like this and we would like to hear from anyone who saw these cats being shot or who knows who is doing it.”

A police spokesman said: “Police were contacted at 9.10pm on Saturday, September 20, with reports that an air weapon was being fired at cats in Loughton.

“Officers are investigating the incident under section 41 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

“They are conducting house-to-house inquiries and would like anyone with any information to contact them at Loughton Police Station on 0300 333 4444.”

Information can also be passed to the RSPCA on 0100 123 4999.