A pet cat has an air gun pellet lodged in its body after being shot at Riddlesden.

Rio, a four-year-old pedigree Abyssinian, had a lucky escape after the pellet missed all his major organs.

His owners found him collapsed in their home and have condemned the person responsible as “inhumane and cruel”.

Caroline Mellor, of Western Avenue, Riddlesden, said Rio was shot sometime between 2.30pm and 6pm on Sunday, February 15.

“He was collapsed in a lifeless heap at the top of the stairs,” she said.

“It’s lucky he made it home, otherwise we might never have found him.

“The pellet had entered the left side of his body behind his front leg and lodged in tissue on the right side of his body.

“We rushed him to an emergency vet appointment and they cleaned out the wound.

“We’ve since taken him back for X-rays but they want to leave the pellet where it is for the moment as it’s not doing any harm.”

She said her husband had contacted the police who reacted very sympathetically.

However, she added she could not be sure where exactly Rio was when he was shot.

Mrs Mellor, 36, a medical secretary at Airedale Hospital, said: “It’s very distressing because he’s part of the family.

“It’s inhumane and very cruel. Who could shoot an innocent animal? Surely they can’t be human. Rio is going outside again but he’s quite tentative and he’s subdued because he’s on antibiotics. He’s normally a very active cat. “I’m actually tempted to keep him inside so this doesn’t happen again.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed officers were aware of the incident.

He said: “This has clearly been a distressing incident for the owners who have contacted us to report the matter.

“We would appeal to anyone who has information about the irresponsible use of air weapons to contact Keighley Neighbourhood Police Team on 01535 617119.”