Cat survives after being shot 13 times in the head with pea rifle!

Sydney, Sep 22 (ANI): A Victorian country cat has survived after being shot 13 times in the head with a pea rifle.

Smokey, a 9-year-old moggie, had been shot by a .22 calibre rifle on September 21, and he has managed to survive after the pellets were removed.

RSPCA Victorian president Hugh Wirth described the act as "utterly disgraceful", and said the cat, which remains in the care of a vet, is expected to recover.

"This is typical of a whole range of attacks on animals, whether it's the city or the country," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him as saying.

He also revealed that bow-and-arrow attacks on cats, and shootings of larger birds like swans were on the rise.

He said there was a "well-established link" between cruelty to animals by young people and harm to other adults later in life.

Dr Wirth also urged parents to teach young children to respect life. (ANI)