Cat will need leg amputation after 'malicious' airgun attack A cat has been left with a shattered leg after being shot with an airgun. The feline, since named Poppy, was found with a bleeding leg in Hurlford, Kilmarnock on Wednesday, September 18. A member of the public reported the discovery to the Scottish SPCA and the black and white cat was taken to a nearby veterinary clinic for medical attention. An airgun pellet was found embedded in the creature's leg and x-rays confirmed the limb was shattered by the impact and will have to be amputated. Animal rescue officer Alistair Hill said: "Poppy had been seen visiting gardens in the area over the past ten days or so and it seems that she has now been cruelly targeted in a malicious airgun attack. As well as appealing for any information on this incident we're also trying to trace this poor cat's owner. She's not micro-chipped, nor was she wearing a collar, so we're hoping someone out there will recognise her. This isn't the first time we've been called to investigate cat-related cruelty in Hurlford. In December 2008 we investigated two cat deaths as a result of carborfuran poisoning. Unfortunately the source was never found and the incidents ceased after we publicised the matter, but it now seems that cats are once again the subject of animal abuse. This is yet another disturbing example of a defenceless creature being maimed as a result of airgun misuse. Poppy is now being cared for at the Scottish SPCA's Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Cardonald. Anyone who recognises Poppy is being asked to call the Scottish SPCA on 03000 999 999.