A CAT shot in the head with an airgun has recovered physically but not emotionally, according to his owner.

Last month, your Worcester News revealed pets were being seriously injured in a spate of air rifle and BB gun shootings across the two counties. Three cats, a ferret and a dog were targeted.

Tim Haines, of Rectory Farm, Grafton Flyford, near Worcester, was devastated when he discovered black-and-white tom Maverick had been shot in the face.

The pellet went through his mouth and lodged itself under his skull, near the spine, where it remains.

But with painkillers and antibiotics 11-year-old Maverick recovered. Mr Haines, however, says he has been affected by the ordeal.

“He’s healthy but psychologically, I’m not sure,” said father-of-five Mr Haines.

“He’s not himself, not quite the cat he used to be.

“He’s still a wonderful family pet, but he used to be especially devoted. Now he is withdrawn and nervous.”

Christopher Fincken’s ginger cat Goldsworthy was lucky to live after he was shot with a metal pellet.

“He’s made a full recovery,” said Mr Fincken, who found the three-year-old tom collapsed outside his home in Much Cowarne, Herefordshire, with a wound in his side.

“The vets weren’t able to remove the pellet so we don’t know what kind of weapon was used, but we think it was probably a BB gun.”

The other injured animals - a tabby cat called Frankie from Stoke Prior, Herefordshire, whose leg bones were shattered by an airgun pellet and a homeless ferret found in Worcester after being shot in the leg – are also on the mend.

Unfortunately, lurcher dog Mickey – who was found in Allensmore, south of Hereford – with a pellet in his chest, did not survive and had to be put down.

A police spokesman warned those responsible that shooting cats and dogs was illegal and could end in prosecution.