The RSPCA is appealing for information after a cat was found with serious injuries after a feared airgun attack in Feltham, west London.
The cat – named Ceaser – was taken to a vet by a member of the public who had been feeding him, who noticed the cat had injuries. Following a vet check up and x-ray, it was found the cat had airgun pellets lodged in his hip and right front leg.
The pellets had gone unnoticed and the bone had begun to calcify around one injury, which means vets are now considering leg amputation as it cannot be removed.
Ceaser was not microchipped and has gone to RSPCA Hillingdon Animal Clinic to recover. If an owner doesn’t come forward he will be rehomed.
The RSPCA is now hoping the public can support their enquiries – both in tracing an owner, and in seeking to establish what happened to Caesar.
Animal Rescue Officer Sam Matthews said: “We know from the x-ray that poor Caesar has been targeted by someone shooting airgun pellets, and two have become lodged in his body. This will have been terrifying and very painful, and had he not been brought into vets then the injuries would have only worsened.
“Airgun attacks on animals is such unnecessary cruelty, and we are really keen for anyone in the Feltham area with information about this incident to contact us so we can investigate further.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01794183.
Every year the RSPCA receives almost 1,000 calls to investigate cases and help hundreds of animals that are the victims of air gun attacks.
Sam added: “Cats and wildlife are the animals most susceptible to being shot simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them. Sadly, air gun attacks are not rare and the injuries caused can be horrific and often fatal.”
In recent years, weapon attacks have been a growing problem for RSPCA officers. Data from the animal charity in 2024 revealed a 30% increase in reported airgun attacks on cats across England and Wales, with 70 incidents being flagged to the RSPCA compared to 54 in 2023.
The charity’s data also reveals that London generated the second-highest number of incidents relating to animals attacked by air guns, catapults or crossbows, with 31 reports received between 2022 and 2024.
Sam added: “We want to see a world where every kind of animal is treated with compassion and respect and deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty should be consigned to the past.
“We continue to call 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.”
Sadly, the summer months can be a tough time for animals. The RSPCA receives more reports of deliberate cruelty to both wildlife and pets than at any other time, and last summer, the charity took 34,401 cruelty calls to their emergency line – up by a third from the year before (25,887).
But despite these challenges, the animal welfare charity is reminding everyone that kind acts, however small, combine to make a more compassionate world – and is encouraging everyone to show their kindness to animals this summer.
Whether it’s leaving out water so wild animals can keep cool, or learning about your pet’s needs in hot weather; giving your time or money for animals, or campaigning to change their futures – every kind act is a vote for the world we want to live in.
Small, everyday gestures really do add up to a life-changing impact for animals and humans alike. We can’t do this alone, but we can if we act together.
