A FOREST cat owner was forced to put her ‘best friend’ to sleep after cowardly attackers shot the pet and kicked it in the ribs.

The devastating decision for Claire Johnson comes as dog owners are being warned about the dangers of Alabama Foot Rot which has killed a pet in the Caldicot area.

Claire said she had to have 17-year-old Budley put to sleep on Saturday following the attack in Hilldene in Cinderford.

She said: “Budley wouldn’t wander far from our home. Last Saturday he crawled back home and I found him curled up in his cat box outside. He couldn’t walk so I picked him up and brought him in. When I placed him on his feet his back end was very unsteady and his back legs gave way. He walked up the stairs but collapsed on the second step. He eventually made it up to the bed and he stayed there for a few hours until the vet came.

“While waiting for the vet his breathing was very bubbly and he had pockets of fur puffing up. Upon inspection I noticed he had a pierced hole in his side. The vet examined him and as there was nothing we could do we made the heart­breaking decision to let him go.

“A post mortem confirmed he had been shot, although without an x-ray, we can’t find the bullet and he had bruising from where he had been kicked so hard it broke his ribs and caused irreparable damage to his lungs.

“I have owned Bud from an eight-week-old kitten and he would have been 18 this year – heartbroken doesn’t even come close. I have lost my oldest, most loyal best friend and family member.

“As there is a lack of evidence neither the police nor the RSPCA are pursuing to find the offender.”

A case of the deadly dog disease, Alabama Rot, known officially as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV), has been confirmed in Monmouthshire.

The flesh-eating bug is thought to be picked up on the paws and legs on muddy walks so owners are advised to wash off woodland mud and check for symptoms such as ulcers, skin lesions, or sores. If there is any doubt, owners should call the vet.

Caroline Marlow, at Marlow Vets in Chepstow, said: “We want to stress to dog owners that the disease is rare and don’t want to scare them. But unfortunately there has been a proven case of it which we have had to treat. Sadly we couldn’t save the dog.

“The disease affects the skin and kidneys and the causes are unknown. For more information and advice I recommend owners visit www.andersonmoores.com.”