A PET cat is recovering after being shot at close range.

Owner Colin Fuller, a retired high court judge, said six-year-old Kanga staggered home covered in blood and dragging a foot.

"We thought he must have been attacked by a fox, he was really badly beaten up," said Mr Fuller.

On taking him to Amery Veterinary Group surgery in Alton the next morning, Mr Fuller was shocked to find that his cat had been shot and was full of shotgun pellets.

X-rays revealed more than 35 pellets and slivers of metal in Kanga's body, and that he was also suffering from broken bones.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.