AN ANIMAL charity says it should be illegal to own an air gun without a licence after it found almost half of cats shot by the weapons in the last year died as a result.

Sussex –based Cats Protection said dozens of cats were treated in England and Wales after falling victim to air gun attacks in the past year.

Vets said in 46 per cent of the cases they came across the cats died as a result of their wounds.

It is currently legal to have air weapons in England and Wales without a licence if they have a muzzle energy below a certain level.

New legislation in Scotland will mean from December 31 it will be illegal for anyone there to possess or use an air weapon without a licence.

Cats Protection, which has its head office in Chelwood Gate, near Haywards Heath, claimed that while less cats appear to have been targeted lately by people using air guns, compared to research it conducted two decades ago, more are dying from their injuries - something it said could be put down to the use of more powerful weapons.

The charity's advocacy manager Jacqui Cuff said: "We are calling for much stricter regulation on the ownership of air guns, as we strongly believe this will help to protect cats and other animals from these shocking attacks, and avoid air guns falling into the wrong hands.

"We want to see England and Wales following the example of Scotland, where from next year it will be illegal to own an air gun without a licence.

"The statistics show that fewer cats are now surviving air gun attacks than they were back in 1996."

Sean Wensley, president of the British Veterinary Association, said the findings of the charity's survey are "concerning" for pet owners and vets.

Cats Protection is urging any pet owners whose cats have died after being shot with an air gun to contact them as they gather evidence for their campaign.

The charity surveyed 3,000 people - vets, cat owners and non-cat owners - this month.