DISMAYED pet owners were left feeling “sick to their stomachs” after their cat was shot with an air gun pellet.

Melanie Whiteaker, 43, and husband, David, are warning cat owners in Colchester to remain vigilant after they received the “horrible” news that their beloved cat Alfie had been shot.

The couple faced a £1,800 vet bill after their two-yearold moggy was found bloodied and limping near to their home in Recreation Road.

“A dog walker had spotted Alfie and alerted our neighbours,” said Melanie.

“They had rushed round and knocked on our door at 10pm on Friday (January 15) night.

“Apparently he looked like he had tried to make his own way home as he was found nearby.

“We wrapped him up in blankets, I could see some blood on David’s palm.

“I just thought he had been attacked.

“I was in a state and couldn’t think straight.”

Alfie received treatment, was placed on strong painkillers and was due to undergo surgery.

But after making a remarkable recovery, the couple are waiting to see if an operation can be avoided.

She said: “When I was told he had been shot and they had found this small pellet, I felt sick to my stomach.

“It made me not want to let him out of the house.

“I started to think someone might have a vendetta against him, that perhaps he had gone into a garden or something.

“I don’t understand why someone would do this.”

She added: “I’ve never seen David cry in the ten years we’ve been together, but when he spoke on the phone about it he had to hand the phone to me.

“I’ve never seen him so angry.

“We did go to the police about it but we don’t have CCTV or anything to help them.

“I may go out to put notices up in the area, people should be vigilant. “ Anyone with information can contact Essex Police on 101 quoting crime r