A 10-year-old cat is having to adapt to life on three legs after being shot in the shoulder by an air-rifle.

Silver tabby Macio had one of his front legs amputated as a result of the injury, which his owner fears could have been deliberately inflicted.

"It was an horrific injury," said Janet Branch of Saundersfoot. "The poor cat was just screaming in pain."

Macio was found to have a shattered shoulder when he was taken in agony to the vet.

"I had no idea what was wrong with him, " said Mrs Branch. "The vet thought he may have been hit by a car, but that would be very unlikely, as Macio is a gentle, lazy old thing and spends all his time around the house and garden.

"When I was told they had found an air rifle pellet on the X-ray, I was flabbergasted. Whoever shot him would have had to have virtually been on my property, which is quite a frightening thought. It could have been a child who was shot."

The incident took place on the last day of May in Incline Way, Saundersfoot, and has been reported to both the police and RSPCA.

"I am absolutely disgusted with the police as they have shown very little interest, and actually referred to the injury as 'criminal damage'," said Mrs Branch. "They should just come round and see this poor animal to see what damage has been inflicted. He has no shoulder and looks like half a cat.

"He's started purring again in the last couple of days, and physically he should make a good recovery, but he still seems very sad."

Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact police on 101.