MUCH-loved pets have been seriously injured after a spate of shootings across the two counties.

Three cats, a dog and a ferret were shot with air rifles or BB guns and all four are lucky to be alive.

Goldsworthy, a three-year-old ginger tom, was discovered by his owners near their home in Much Cowarne, near Bromyard, on Wednesday morning. He had collapsed in the rain and was bleeding from a wound in his side.

“We struggled to save him,” said vet Sandy Weeks-Gibbon, who is looking after Goldsworthy at Bromyard Veterinary Centre. “We attempted to remove the metal pellet but it’s done so much damage. There is a lot of swelling and bruising, as well as burns on his flesh.”

Goldsworthy is now doing remarkably well considering what he has been through, but owner Christopher Fincken is still in shock and until the pellet is removed they will not know what kind of weapon was used.

Last Sunday, Maverick, an 11-year-old black and white tom, was shot in the head with an air gun.

The lead pellet went in his mouth and lodged under his skull, near the spine. It cannot be removed and owner Tim Haines, of Rectory Farm, Grafton Flyford, near Worcester, is devastated.

“We couldn’t understand what was wrong until we looked in his mouth and saw a wound at the back in the soft palate,” he said.

Maverick was given painkillers, antibiotics and put on a drip. He is now back at home, but still fighting for this life.

Earlier this month, Frankie the tabby cat was shot with an air gun in Stoke Prior, near Bromsgrove. Bones in his right leg and chest have been shattered and he must stay indoors until October.

Cats have not been the only victims. A dog had to be put down after being shot in the chest.

Mickey, an eight-year-old lurcher was found in Allensmore, south of Hereford. He was rushed to the vets by his owners. They confirmed that an air weapon pellet had lodged in his chest.

A ferret – emaciated and plagued by ticks and fleas – was taken in by Droitwich Ferret Welfare this week after being shot in the leg with a BB gun in Worcester.

“The entry wound was clearly visible and the shot is still embedded,” said Anne Robinson, secretary of the charity. Suzie, as she has been nicknamed, was in considerable pain and distress but is now on the road to recovery.

A police spokesman said it would be easy to blame youngsters with nothing to do during the school holiday, but officers are keeping an open mind. Those responsible could be prosecuted for criminal damage, cruelty to animals and air weapon offences.

He said: “Shooting at cats and dogs is illegal. Irresponsible people with air weapons would do well to remember that”. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.