Angela Wearmouth (59) of Auckland Court was shot in the leg in 2004 by youths and says the wound still causes her misery now.

She contacted the Whitby Gazette after reading on Friday 7 March about Poppy and Felix, two cats shot by yobs with air guns, which resulted in Poppy losing an eye.

Miss Wearmouth has now called for all types of air rifle to be banned.

"Something needs to be done because they are dangerous and somebody will be seriously hurt," she said.

"The police need to find a way to keep them off the streets before something like this happens again"

In September 2004 the Whitby Gazette reported how she was shot just below the knee as she walked her dog in Kirkham Road.

Miss Wearmouth's leg was left bloody and in the years since has made several visits to the hospital.

"The wound keeps flaring up and I need to go and have it treated and it is still, even after all these years, causing me problems and has really affected me.

"This is why they should be banned. Children should not be allowed to wander the streets shooting at people and pets."

Miss Wearmouth told how she had been out walking her dog in 2004 when a youth aimed at gun at her and shot her in the leg.

She says she confronted the boy who told her he had been aiming for her dog.

Following the attack she needed to got to hospital and get a tetanus booster to ward off any infection.

"The guns can be sold as toys and anyone can get their hands on them, it's not right."

BB and airguns fire pellets out at high speed and can easily injure and blind a person and in extreme cases can even kill.

Whitby Police are still appealing for information relating to the shooting of the two cats in the Highfield Road area of Whitby earlier this month.

Anyone who has any information is asked to call (0845) 6060247.