I am writing to update readers on the progress of Lilly the cat, see photo right, which was deliberately shot by a callous thug in Angmering, highlighted by this paper on February 15 under the heading: Lilly down to eight lives.

Ron Eyres, who runs Lost Cats Brighton, came to her rescue and saved her leg from being amputated by offering to pay the near £2,000 bill required.

The charity is reliant upon public donations, so this amount of money has seriously dented the organisation’s coffers.

The repercussions of one cowardly act upon a defenceless creature has been enormous.

Yet, this individual, like previous ones, has got away with it because laws are only of value if they are enforced.

I will write to Sussex Chief Constable Giles York to find out what progress his force has made in catching this low life but I will not be holding my breath.

Historically it is a crime that is committed with no real likelihood of prosecution.

I reiterate ad nauseam my refrain often quoted in The Argus, that ‘all air weapons should be restricted to gun clubs’.

Those readers of The Argus who would like to see air weapons banished to gun clubs should write to their respective MPs.

David Hammond, Hassocks