Two cats have been killed and another maimed in airgun attacks at Didcot.

Bobcat was one of the victims of airgun attacks

Bobcat, a black and white tom, is being nursed back to health at the home of Cat Protection volunteer Polly Cockburn after his tail was amputated. He is believed to have been shot with an air rifle.

Police are appealing for information following the attacks in the Queensway area, where two cats have been killed within the past four months.

Sgt Mike Todd, of Didcot police, said: "While the responsible use of air weapons within someone's own property is not a problem, it is an offence of cruelty to animals if someone takes a potshot at a cat."

He warned it was also an offence to discharge an air weapon in a public place.

The Oxford and District branch of the Cats Protection charity, which is finding it difficult to cope with Didcot's increasing population of strays, is concerned that someone may be using an airgun to deal with the problem.

Bobcat -- as he has been named by Cats Protection volunteers -- was found severely injured and starving by a pensioner when the cat strayed into her garden off Newlands Avenue more than three weeks ago.

Volunteer Polly Cockburn, of Blewbury, said: "His tail was rotting away and it was obvious the animal must have been in great pain for at least two weeks." Janet Grant, co-ordinator for Oxford and District Cats Protection, believed the warm weather over the past few weeks may have led un-neutered cats to produce two litters this year.

Mrs Grant, who is appealing for homes for scores of unwanted strays including kittens, accused irresponsible cat owners of abandoning un-neutered and unwanted cats, and kittens which were ready to breed after several months.

The charity, which has a team of volunteers to foster unwanted cats, has no centre to house all the animals.

Anyone with information on the shootings is asked to call Didcot police on 01235 516815, or 01235 776000 out of hours. Next month, Oxford and District Cats Protection will launch a free cat neutering service for owners on low income or in receipt of benefits.

For offers of permanent homes, call the branch on 01865 341401.

On Saturday, October 12, Cats Protection volunteers will collect donations and highlight the free neutering service in Didcot from a stall at the Market Place, off Broadway, from 9am.