A cat came within an inch of death after it was shot in the back with a pellet gun.

Rolf Weber's pet Thomas came home bleeding, with a lead pellet just centimetres away from his spine.

Mr Weber, 31, of Victoria Park, Windmill Hill, has hit out at whoever shot the two-year-old cat, saying they are immoral and cruel.

He hopes that publicising the injury will warn other cat owners in the area to be careful.

He said: "At first I thought he had a tick on his back, but when I was stroking his hair I noticed a bullet lodged in his back, near his spine.

"It was about 5mm into his back, I got it out and took him to the vets.

"They said if it had been an inch the other side it would have killed him.

"I was completely shocked that sort of thing would happen, it's a horrible thing to do.

"The cruelty of some people is astounding.

"We live in a peaceful area close to the park with a good community spirit.

"Who are these monsters that have no morals and don't care for the life of animals or probably people? It's disgraceful.

"I'm now concerned about letting my cats out in case it happens again."

Mr Weber, a manufacturing manager, has two cats, Thomas and his brother Bruce.

Thomas is now on the mend but will be left with a scar.

The shooting follows a spate of cat cruelty in the Brislington area earlier this year, with around 20 dying from suspected poisoning.

In April the Post reported that Doon, an eight-month-old kitten in Withywood, had to have her leg amputated after she was shot by an air-gun pellet.

And just this week Paul Honeyfield, of Queens Parade in Hotwells, was banned from owning animals for life after he kicked a puppy to death.

Mr Weber contacted the RSPCA after Thomas was injured and he said although they did not send anyone out, they kept a note of the shooting for their records.

RSPCA spokesman Jo Barr said: "Sadly we deal with quite a few incidents every year of pets that are shot with air weapons.

"In a six-month period in England and Wales we would have around 1,400 incidents.

"People think of them not as proper weapons but they are.

"Animals are frequently injured and maimed, so it's taken very seriously.

"Under the Animal Welfare Act, anyone caught can face up to six months in prison or a £20,000 fine.

"If anyone has any information they can call our 24 hour helpline in confidence on 0300 1234 999."