Police appeal after thug shoots cat dead

POLICE are hunting a thug who shot a pet cat dead with an air rifle.

One-year-old Paolo managed to struggle back to his home in Saughtonhall but had to be put down. An X-ray showed an air rifle pellet lodged in his chest.

Owner Lesley Webster said she had been left distraught.

She said: “When he came into the house he was wailing, there was obviously something wrong with him.

“He was lying in a funny position and after he just fell over we took him to the vet.”

The 44-year-old added: “I was so upset. I just couldn’t believe someone would have the mentality to do something like that.”

Police today appealed for information about the shooting in the Saughtonhall area on Wednesday afternoon. A spokeswoman said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have seen someone with an air weapon to contact us on 0131-311 3131.”