MINDLESS thugs shot a pet cat FOUR times! But 'Molly' really must have had nine lives.

She survived the onslaught and is now hobbling around with three of the pellets still inside her.

Owner Vivienne Duerden, 32, said: "Molly was shot in the abdomen, neck, spine and elbow. The vet bill has come to £380 already.

"The thugs who did this to a poor defenceless cat should be ashamed of themselves. The police are waiting for a report from their ballistic people to see what kind of bullet did this."

And the Ellesmere Street, Tyldesley, mum added that her 10-year-old son Marlon was devastated to see Molly in this condition.

"The bullets broke her leg in two and I don't believe it was an ordinary air rifle that did this. Someone local has a dangerous weapon and needs to be caught before someone is killed."

If anyone in the area sees someone using a gun they should report it to Tyldesley Police Station.

Said Vivienne: "We are prepared to offer a reward to anyone who can positively identify the person or people who shot our cat."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.