RSPCA appeal after injured cat found in Widnes had been shot by an air gun

THE RSPCA has launched an appeal for information after an injured stray cat found in Widnes was discovered to have been shot in the spine.

The unneutered male was spotted:- Monday, 21 April 2026, at around:- 11 am, in Milton Avenue, and was described as dragging himself across the floor. He was also not able to get up.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Lucy Welch was called to the location and was able to use a grasper to pull him out from under a pallet he was hiding under.

Lucy Welch said:- "This poor cat was obviously seriously injured and was in distress. Once I was able to catch him I took him to a nearby vets for a check over. He was found not to be microchipped and was given the all clear to travel to RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where he was further accessed.�

Sadly the cat was found to be paralysed on his back end and further investigations found more cause for concern.

"At the animal hospital he was given an X-Ray where he was found to have a pellet in his spine. The injury had caused significant damage so he was sadly put to sleep,� said Lucy.

The RSPCA is now launching an appeal to find out what happened.

Lucy said:- "Although at the moment we don't know if this attack was accidental or deliberate so we hope an appeal for information will help with our enquiries, We also don't know if he did in fact have an owner or was in fact a stray. It is also suspected that the injury may have occurred before the cat was found on Monday. Our Inspectorate Appeal Line can be reached on:- 03001238018 and we'd urge anyone with 1st hand information to get in touch. Incident number:- 01781335 can be quoted.�

Every year the RSPCA receives almost:- 1,000 calls to investigate cases and help hundreds of animals that are the victims of air gun attacks.

Cats and wildlife are the animals most susceptible to being shot simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them. Unfortunately, air rifle attacks are not as rare as the charity would like. The injuries caused by such attacks can be horrific and often fatal.

Lucy added:- "We want to see a world where every kind of animal is treated with compassion and respect and deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty should be consigned to the past. We continue to call for tighter controls on air weapons. This, along with better education and explanation of the law when buying an air gun, and requirements that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop could help relieve the problem.�

Rising cruelty, neglect and large scale animal rescues led to a crisis point last summer. A 6 year high of animals in RSPCA care, almost half in emergency boarding because our centres are full. We urgently need to find loving homes so that we can continue to bring thousands of animals in need to safety. Please visit:- RSPCA.Org.UK.

Jobs down 1,146 in Liverpool over the past year

LATEST employment data for March 2026 shows the number of employees on payroll in Liverpool was:- 216,846, down -0.5% on the same month in 2025r. In the most recent month, businesses reported that payroll fell by 196 indicating continued pressure on jobs. Overall, employment in Liverpool remains lower than a year ago, with employers reporting payroll headcount down:- 1,146 (-0.5%) year on year. The figures are based on analysis of the latest Office for National Statistics payroll data by the employment and pay app WageSight. Compared with other towns and cities in the North West, Liverpool ranks 16th out of 20, placing it among the weakest performers for employment change.

The trend in Liverpool reflects a mixed employment picture across the North West, with some areas reporting improvements while others continue to see pressure on payroll numbers. Nationally, employment levels have shown a mixed picture over the past year, creating a challenging backdrop.

Paul Hebden, WageSight Director, said:- "The latest figures underline the continued pressure on employment in Liverpool. Payroll remains down compared with 2025, and recent month-on-month data suggests employers are still cutting back."

It remains too early to say whether recent changes mark the start of a sustained shift, or a temporary fluctuation.

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RSPCA appeal after injured cat found in Widnes had been shot by an air gun

Jobs down 1,146 in Liverpool over the past year