Hunt is on for 'sick nutcase' who nearly killed a cat in Lutterworth after shooting it with an air rifle

A horrified mum from Lutterworth has slammed a “sick nutcase” who shot her beloved cat and almost killed him.

Stunned Gabriella Allsopp-Smith, 48, said she was “devastated” after her pet Bruce Willis – called after the Die Hard star – was shot with an air rifle.

She said her seven-year-old ragdoll cross miraculously escaped death after the explosive pellet missed his heart by a whisker.

Gabriella, of Gale Close, Lutterworth, told the Harborough Mail: “The sick nutcase who shot my defenceless little boy has to be caught as soon as possible before they shoot any more pets – or even a child.

“Bruce means the world to me – he’s a massive part of our family and he’s my baby, a real mummy’s boy.

“I’ve been in floods of tears and worried sick – and my poor Bruce has been through hell.”

The distraught mum-of-two added: “Bruce always stays nearby when he goes out and he never strays far.

“He was timid anyway and is blind in his right eye.

“So it’s terrifying to think that it’s almost certain that he’s been so savagely attacked by a thug with an air rifle who lives locally.

“I’d have done time for them if Bruce had died and I’d managed to get my hands on the nutter who did this.”

Gabriella, who also has a cat called Millie, said Bruce was cruelly targeted on Sunday April 5.

“We live in a lovely cul-de-sac and it’s like Cat Central – all the cats hang out with each other.

“I went to groom Bruce after he returned that Sunday morning but he didn’t want to know,” said the lifelong animal lover.

“I felt a lump on his side, there was a big hole there.

“I called our local vet in Lutterworth and they prescribed antibiotics.

“But my husband Mick said he was sure Bruce had been shot with a gun.

“He was very subdued and clearly in a lot of pain.

“So I took him to Vets4Pets at Rugby Central and a brilliant vet there, Marcin Bula, carried out a long and very tricky operation on Bruce.

“He had to act after warning me that my boy would be killed by lead poisoning if he didn’t remove the pellet.

“Marcin told me Bruce could die during the op and I was terrified – but thank goodness he came through.

“He said the pellet had passed within just one millimetre of a main artery, ripped through his kidney and landed up just short of his heart.

“It was a miracle Bruce didn't die – he’s certainly used up quite a few of his nine lives.

“Marcin did an absolutely brilliant job to keep my baby alive – he’s my very own Supervet and a real lifesaver.”

Gabriella immediately alerted police and the RSPCA after realising Bruce, who’s been sleeping on Gabriella’s bed as he recovers, had been shot.

“The pellet was fired by someone with a special high-powered hunting air rifle.

“The pellet travelled downwards and expanded on impact, making it even more deadly,” she said.

“Bruce was either shot at point-blank range or from very close up and the gunman must have tried to kill him.

“He could so easily have died straight away.

“I love actor Bruce Willis and now my very own Bruce has taken a bullet as well.

“But this isn’t the movies.

“I’m appealing on social media for anyone who knows anything about this brutal attack to get in touch with me or contact the police or RSPCA.

“We have to stop this cowardly maniac before they strike again.”

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: “We have received a report of a cat being shot with an air rifle.

“The incident took place on Sunday 5 April in the Gale Close area of Lutterworth.

“The cat has since been treated and a pellet was removed.

“The local beat team have been made aware of the incident.”

She added: “If anyone has any information about who may be responsible they are asked to contact police on 101, quoting crime number 20*199670.”

Insp Ann Bennett, of the RSPCA, said: “This must have been very painful for Bruce and distressing for his owners.” “Thankfully, Bruce got the treatment he needed and he is now recovering, but he was lucky not to be more seriously injured.

“There is no excuse to cause such awful injuries to a defenceless animal.

“The RSPCA receives almost 1,000 calls to investigate such cases every year and sadly cats and wildlife are usually the animals most often affected.”

She added: "We are calling for tighter controls on air weapons.

“This, along with better education and explanation of the law when buying an air gun, and requirements that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop could help relieve the problem.

“These weapons cause horrific pain and suffering and it is illegal.

“Anyone caught deliberately using an air gun to injure an animal can be up to six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine if found guilty under the Animal Welfare Act."

If you have any information on Bruce’s shooting please call the RSPCA’s appeals hotline on 0300 123 8018.