The incredible X-ray that showed how cat named Hope survives being blasted by THIRTY airgun pellets

Last updated at 2:06 PM on 29th June 2011

A cat called Hope has miraculously survived being blasted by around 30 airgun pellets, during a wave of senseless shootings across the UK.

The RSPCA has launched a hunt for the evil shooter and has released X-rays of some of the pellets inside Hope's body.

Hope's owner found her bleeding and near to death in Great Walsingham, Norfolk, and at first it was thought she'd been attacked by a dog because her body was ripped and torn.

Evidence: The vet's X-ray shows Hope's body filled with the bullets

But when she was transferred to the All Creature Healthcare centre in Norwich, X-rays showed that she had been peppered by around 30 shotgun pellets.

They were mostly in the back of her body but four were lodged in her head.

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Vets' staff managed to remove about 10 pellets but some were left in case worse damage was caused removing them.

Hope is also suffering from a fractured toe as a result of the shooting.

The five-year-old moggy is recovering from her ordeal and is being treated at the Paws Centre in Norwich, which is run by the RSPCA Norwich and Mid Norfolk branch.

Her owner could not afford the veterinary treatment and she has been signed over to the care of the RSPCA.

Miracle survivor: Hope the cat was shot with 20 metal pellets from an airgun but thankfully survived

RSPCA inspector Amy Collingsworth said: ‘Hope is a really friendly and lovely cat, and it is hard to understand why someone would want to shoot an innocent animal. She is lucky to have survived.

'The RSPCA is investigating this incident and we would appeal to anyone who has any information regarding this shooting to contact us.'

Danah Fadhel, animal care supervisor at the PAWS centre, said: ‘Hope is a lovely cat and it is just sad that someone has deliberately shot at her, it is just horrific.

‘She is getting a lot of love and attention at the centre, and we hope that once she has made a full recovery we will be able to find her the loving new home that she deserves.’

Hope will be cared for by the RSPCA until she is well enough to be re-homed. She will require further vet checks for a number of weeks.’

The RSPCA branch say powerful modern airguns and other 21st century weapons are being used to ‘smash animals to smithereens’ in a wave of senseless shootings.

The charity says it is being swamped with pets and wildlife badly-injured by guns.

Cats are the most frequent victims but dogs, birds and other creatures are also blasted.

Last year the RSPCA dealt with 567 complaints, collections and rescues regarding air gun incidents nationally.

RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital director David Grant said: ‘After nearly 43 years as a qualified vet, the severity of injuries inflicted by airguns has increased dramatically.

‘Modern air guns have immense power and the pellets are not being embedded on the surface of the cat, as I used to regularly deal with, but are now passing through the body and smashing bones to smithereens.'

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Rabu, 29 Juni 2011