by Sarah Shaffi

sshaffi@thekmgroup.co.uk

The owners of a cat left with horrendous injuries after being shot have issued a warning to pet owners.

Munch, a short-haired tabby, went missing from the home of owners Wayne and Deborah Matthews for almost five days.

When she returned, the Rainham couple were shocked to see their cat had horrific injuries.

They rushed her to the vets and discovered her leg was peppered with pellets and broken in at least four places.

Mrs Matthews said: “When the vet first saw her they weren’t sure they could save the leg but now they say they should be able to.

“She seems to be getting better but she has been suffering. We want to warn other people to be on guard because it’s scary this has happened.”
Two-year-old Munch has had her leg pinned.

Mr Matthews said: “It’s caused a lot of distress for the family. It wasn’t until I looked at the disc around her collar and saw it had a hole in it that I realised she had been shot.
“I’m frightened to let our other cats out now.”

The wound on Munch’s chest was left open by vets so the infection could clear and was finally stitched last week.

Mr Matthews, of Sandgate Court, said: “The vet seems to think she went and hid for a couple of days to try and recover before somehow managing to get home.”
The incident has been reported to the police and RSPCA.

A Medway Police spokesman said: “The incident occurred some time between September 27 and October 2 but at this stage can’t be narrowed down further.
“Inquiries have been carried out locally, including with local farms and landowners, and are ongoing.”