Yobs shot a family cat with an airgun, hitting five internal organs.

Ginger cat Billie was last night fighting for her life after she was shot in the side in Howard Road, Banbury, in the early hours last Wednesday. Vets have rated the 18-month-old feline’s chances of survival as 50/50.

Owner Samina Shoukat, 33, and her seven-year-old daughter Gul found Billie vomiting in their garden.

She was taken to vets at Hawthorn Lodge Veterinary Surgery, in Old Parr Road, where she is now recovering from an operation to remove the pellet.

Mrs Shoukat said: “How can someone go round with a gun shooting pets or wild animals?

“It is outrageous and has to stop. This is my daughter’s pet and she is very upset.

“We want the police to catch whoever did this. It costs a lot of money to make her better. Whoever shot Billie should be paying up.”

Across Oxfordshire, there were seven reported cat shootings in 2007 and eight in 2008.

Shooting at a cat with an air rifle can lead to a 12-month prison sentence and a fine of up to £20,000.

A police spokesman said: “The owner of the cat took her to the vets where they found pellets from an airgun. We would like to hear from anyone with information in the area.”

Call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if you can help.