A horrified cat-lover returned home to find her pet had been shot in a sickening attack.

Antonietta Tulino, from Clatterfield Gardens, Westcliff, walked in from work to find two-year-old black and white, Gerry, screaming in agony in a pool of blood.

It is the second time in just over a month Gerry has been blasted with an air gun by yobs.

Ms Tulino's other two-year-old cat, Olly, was also targeted in March, but escaped serious injury. She is now desperate for the culprit to be found.

She said: "I picked Gerry up and thought 'oh my God, what is this?' - there was blood everywhere. You could hardly touch him because he would scream.

"I can't imagine who would do this."

She added: "I am totally shocked there is some wicked person out there who would shoot animals. I couldn't believe it was happening to me. I just want it to stop because I am afraid of coming home one day and finding my cats dead.

"The police have knocked on doors in the area but they have not had any success."

Each time Ms Tulino rushed her cats to the vets the pellets were removed but the injuries could have been fatal.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward who may have seen anything suspicious. The three shootings took place on March 8, May 8 and on Wednesday.

Contact Leigh police on 01702 471212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Shocked - Mrs Tulino comforts Gerry

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.