Cat owners have been urged to keep their precious pets indoors after a double shooting in a quiet close.

A "red alert" has been issued by an animal rights campaign group after two cats were injured in Sompting, near Lancing during two air rifle attacks on separate days.

Neighbours Karen Percival and Jasmine Giles's cats Houdini and Teddy were wounded in the "evil" air rifle attacks earlier this month.

The Argus: The Lawns in Sompting, where the attacks happenedThe Lawns in Sompting, where the attacks happened (Image: Google)

Animal rights campaign group Peta issued the alert and has called on residents in the village to lock their cats at home saying "cats count on us to protect them."

The two incidents happened just under a week apart on Monday, October 9, and Sunday, October 15 in The Lawns, Sompting.

One cat still has a metal pellet lodged between his lung and heart.

The Argus: An X-Ray of the pellet lodged inside HoudiniAn X-Ray of the pellet lodged inside Houdini (Image: Karen Percival)

Peta's vice president of programmes Elisa Allen said: "The horrific injuries these cats have sustained is a reminder that it is never safe to let our animal companions outdoors unattended, even if just for a minute.

"Cats count on us to protect them and the best way to do that is by keeping them safe indoors."

Police are investigating the two attacks, which they believe to be linked.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "If you have any information, or relevant footage, please contact police online or call 101 quoting serial 972 of 15/10."