A CAT is fighting for his life after being blasted with 21 shotgun pellets.

Tabby cat Marley, who is less than a year old, left his home in Yarnton Road, Cassington, at 10am on Tuesday morning, but did not return as usual later in the day.

As his owner Kathryn Thomson frantically searched the neighbourhood, the wounded tabby dragged himself home and was discovered slumped by the back door. When Mrs Thomson tried to pick him up, he yelped with pain.

An examination and X-Ray at Parkwood Veterinary Group, Woodstock, revealed 21 pellets lodged inside his body and head and a fractured leg.

But during surgery, just six of the pellets could be removed, with others still embedded in Marley’s lungs, stomach and head.

Vet Mark Jukel said: “I have never seen anything this bad. I have seen animals shot before, but when you see the x-rays, it is quite horrific.

“It is a shotgun that has caused these wounds, beyond any reasonable doubt.

“It is difficult to say at what range, because it depends on the calibre of the shotgun, whether it was customised, and how many individual pieces of shot were in the shot gun shell.”

Mrs Thomson said: “I am so angry and upset that somebody could purposefully shoot an animal. “It is just a vicious and unspeakable thing that someone has done.”

She added: “We could still lose him. If he does by some miracle manage to survive, he could lose a leg as a result.”

RSPCA inspector Annabelle Black said it was still unclear whether Marley had been held down or trapped before his terrifying ordeal.

She said: “This is a despicable crime against a poor animal, and we will do all we can to bring the offender to justice.

“We are all desperately hoping that Marley pulls through, but we would urge anyone with information to contact us.”

Police are investigating the shooting, and officers visited Mrs Thomson yesterday to obtain a statement. Meanwhile, Marley is due to be operated on again today to help repair his wounded leg.

The cat is currently at the veterinary surgery, being given antibiotics and morphine.

Mr Jukel added: “He is a lot better than yesterday, and hopefully will recover.”

Anyone with information about the shooting should call the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234999.