CATS Protection is calling for the licensing of air guns in England and Wales to help protect horrifying attacks on pets such as Cosmo, who was nursed back to health at the charity’s adoption centre, in Haslemere.

Cosmo was handed in after he was found straying in Petworth and initially treated by Woodland Veterinary Centre in Midhurst.

He was very underweight; suffering from ear and eye infections and his fur was heavily matted.

The Haslemere centre took him after poster appeals failed to find his owner, but he became lethargic, the pupil in his right eye became enlarged and a lump appeared on his head.

It was found to be a delayed reaction to an air gun pellet and an x-ray was taken which showed three additional pellets in need of removal.

•Go to www.cats.org.uk/airgunspetition to support the appeal.