A CAT has made a miraculous recovery after it was shot with an air gun.

Two-year-old Lily suffered a pierced bowel and needed an emergency operation when she was left fighting for her life.

Her owner, who asked not to be named, was left distraught last month when the cat returned to her home in Beaverdyke, in Rawcliffe, appearing unwell.

Since the devastating incident, however, Lily's owner says she is recovering well and is in good spirits.

She said: "She's made a miraculous recovery and is officially on the mend.

"Her temperature is back to normal, it did get as high as 42 degrees, and her wounds are starting to heal."

Despite her cat's recovery, the owner has warned people to look after their pets as she claims the person responsible for shooting her cat is still at large and is wandering the streets with a weapon.

She added: "At present there is still an unstable person whom is armed in my neighbourhood, which is incredibly worrying.

"People like this often escalate from animals to people so it likely won't be long before someone gets hurt, especially with so many schools in the area I think people should be concerned."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said they have quizzed people in the area about the incident.

He said: "Police were called with a report that a cat had been shot in the Rawcliffe area of York on April 27, 2016.

"Despite an extensive investigation – including house-to-house enquiries in the area – no suspects have been identified at this time."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101.