Owners' horror after cat is shot dead in Sheffield

Sid, whose owners say he died after being shot with a pellet gun

Joanne Richardson and her husband Mark said their 'beloved' pet Sid was shot from above with a pellet gun near their home in Stocksbridge and died following an operation to remove the bullet from his spine.

The couple believe the six-year-old mog was shot on Thursday evening and took over 12 hours to drag himself back to their home on Cross Lane, where he arrived the following afternoon, in agonising pain.

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"We know this is a very close knit community so we know that someone in this neighbourhood knows who undertook this cowardly crime against our beloved Sid.

"Please come forward and name and shame this callous person."

She said they had nursed the pair back to health and were distraught by what had happened to Sid.

"Sid was a rescue cat whose personality was very timid around people," she added.

Joanne's daughter Daniella said that even if they couldn't catch Sid's killer but sharing their story they hoped to raise awareness and 'spark a conversation with young people who may think it's a laugh to shoot animals'.

Anyone with information can call RSPCA Sheffield on 0114 289 8050.