A family has warned pet owners to be on their guard after their pet cat was shot and badly injured.

Belle, a four year-old tabby, needed an operation after an air gun pellet fractured her leg.

Her owner, Nell Saunders, of Wootton village, near Abingdon, said: "Belle came limping into the house. It was so distressing to see her in such a state.

"We live close to fields and she could have been shot by someone mistaking her for a rabbit, but she could have been shot deliberately."

She added: "We want to warn other pet owners in the village to be careful."

Sgt Martin Crawley, of Abingdon police, said: "We're not aware of any similar incidents the area."