A cat has been treated for near fatal injuries after a sickening attack in Dalgety Bay.
Owner Heidi Woods said moggy Colonel suffered a dislocated pelvis after thugs apparently swung him by the tail.
Distressed and on intravenous painkillers, Colonel is awaiting an operation to have his tail amputated.
He also has a puncture wound on his hip where it is believed he was shot with an air rifle.
“It’s hard to believe that someone could have done this to him,” said Miss Woods.
“He is such a sweet and friendly cat. He’s never scratched anyone and just wants chin strokes all the time.
“If we do get our boy back he will have to be on cage rest for two months, which I imagine will be very difficult for him.”
Miss Woods, 30, feared Colonel would have to be put to sleep.
However, he has made encouraging signs of recovery.
She described how her beloved pet returned home on Friday morning after being missing for three days and was dragging his back legs behind him.
“We heard him meowing outside and I had to carry him in as he could not walk,” she said.
It was initially thought Colonel had been in a car accident but this was ruled out after an examination by a vet.
Miss Woods added: “The x-ray showed later that his tail had been dislocated from his spine, his pelvis was dislocated and he had a deep puncture wound in his hip. The vet said it was like he had been shot with an air rifle pellet but she couldn’t find the bullet.
“The tail injury and pelvis dislocation are in line with being swung hard by his tail. The deep puncture wound cannot be explained with a car accident.”
Animal welfare charity Scottish SPCA has urged anyone with information about how Colonel was injured to contact its animal helpline on 03000 999 999, where calls can be made anonymously.
Meanwhile, Miss Woods and her partner Lewis Speak have offered a reward for anyone who comes forward with vital information.
Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “It is truly appalling that animals such as Colonel are being targeted and caused such pain and suffering.
“Disturbingly, some people seem to think it is fun to maim and kill defenceless animals and this is completely unacceptable in a modern, civilised society.
“Thankfully the majority of people regard cruelty towards animals as unacceptable and unthinkable, but there is a minority of people out there who think it’s acceptable to treat cats in particular like rubbish.
“Because of their free roaming nature, cats are often subjected to cruelty and ill-treatment at the hands of complete strangers.
“They are the primary target for malicious airgun attacks and we have seen countless cases this year of cats coming into our care with severe injuries after being shot with an airgun, often losing a limb, or their life, as a result of the damage caused.”
