A CAT shot by a pellet gun in Wootton Bassett has died.

The year-old cat, Sheba, returned to her home on the Green Park estate on Wednesday evening covered in blood, and a vet later confirmed that the injury was caused by an air gun.

The pellet punctured the intestine in two places and embedded itself in the unfortunate animal's spleen.

She survived two operations but died at the weekend.

The 26-year-old owner of the cat was unwilling to give her name.

She said: "I'm extremely upset. She was only with us for six months but she was a lovely little cat. The vet told me that because of the angle he could tell that she was shot at close range. I'm disgusted that somebody took an air gun to a cat close up and shot it.

"I'm very angry and I think the same thing should be done to the person who did this.

"It was during half-term so I suspect it would be kids."

Sheba had a double dose of ill fortune in her short life. Before being taken into her Wootton Bassett home she was rescued from a cruelty situation in Cricklade, according to her owner.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call the police on Swindon 852213.