A cat is lucky to be alive after being shot in the eye by cruel thugs with an air rifle.

Nine-month-old Garfie had only recently being allowed out of his home in Fuller Street, Fairstead, near Witham, when he was shot.

He managed to find his way home, where his horrified owner Julie Blake found him with serious eye injuries.

At first she thought Garfie had been in a fight, but after being treated at the specialist Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, an X-ray revealed the airgun pellet lodged in his head.

Garfie is now recovering but has lost his injured eye.

The RSPCA is investigating claims that youths were responsible for the shooting.

Published Tuesday, March 19, 2002