Jazz the cat shot dead in Gorleston in 'callous' attack

Jazz, a 12-year-old rescue cat, left her house but alarms were raised when she failed to return home to Warren Road in Gorleston.

After a sleepless night spent waiting for Jazz to return, she was eventually found cowering behind the sofa with a gaping wound. 

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Jazz the 12-year-old rescue cat (Image: RSPCA)

She was rushed to the nearest vet who discovered she had been shot with an air gun.

The bullet smashed through her body damaging vital organs before almost passing through her other side.

Horrific injuries sustained in the attack left her with heavy internal bleeding, meaning the family was forced to have her put down.

Jazz’s owner, who wants to remain anonymous, said: “During lockdown, Jazz was more than a cat - she was our children's best friend.

"Now she's gone and they're heartbroken and it's hard to grasp how someone could do this."

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The X-ray showing the bullet lodged in Jazz's stomach (Image: RSPCA)

The cat was adopted by the family alongside her sister Ariel, who the family says has been pining and lonely following the incident on August 25.

Dean Astillberry, a spokesman for the RSPCA, said: "It is devastating to hear what happened to poor Jazz and our hearts go out to her owners.

"Why someone would target an innocent animal like this I do not know - it was a callous and cruel attack on a helpless animal, I'm horrified by it."

Norfolk Constabulary is investigating the incident and has carried out door-to-door enquiries in the area.

The RSPCA has urged anyone with information to call 0300 123 8018 quoting incident 01141955 or contact the police quoting reference 36/64255/23.