EMMA Goodman has warned cat lovers to be on their guard after her moggy was shot by an air rifle.

The 30-year-old, from Watchfield, is furious that someone tried to kill her beloved pet Ben and is at a loss as to the motive.

The RSPCA has condemned the shooting and staff are to investigate the incident. They are urging any witnesses to contact the police.

The eight-year-old ginger tom was a rescue cat and Emma fears someone may have been trying to deliberately injure or even kill him.

"He is a great companion and he doesn't rove around causing trouble," she said.

"But he has been very badly hurt and at one stage we thought he might have died."

Emma has nine cats, and she put Ben out on Monday morning before she went to work.

When she came back a few hours later she noticed that he wasn't well and then she discovered the gunshot wound.

"It is healing now but there is a visible wound just below the neckline," she said.

"It seems to me that whoever it was wanted to badly injure him, and if it had been a few inches higher it could have taken his eye out or killed him."

Emma and her fiancé Stephen Wikel took Ben to a vet, who said removing the pellet lodged in his flesh would be too risky.

So now it stays as a painful reminder of the anti-social act.

"We have never heard of pets being injured like this in Watchfield and it worries me that it might become more commonplace," she said.

"One neighbour who also has cats said she heard someone saying they would like to shoot them, but I can't think why.

"Ben is a very nervous cat, perhaps the most nervous we have, and he would only venture next door if anything.

"He certainly wouldn't go round terrorising birds and things so this has come as a complete shock."

The mindless cruelty has had an impact on Emma's elderly grandmother.

The 93-year-old is blind and was distraught to learn that her favourite cat had been seriously injured.

Emma said: "She is very attached to him and was in floods of tears when we told her.

"She loves his company and the thought of him being attacked has made her very upset."

Anyone who may have seen the attack on Emma's pet is asked to contact Swindon police on 0845 408 7000.