A stray dog and cat were found riddled with lead pellets in two separate incidents of animal cruelty in less than a week.

On Thursday, a one-year-old female chocolate pointer, which Happy Paws Clinic had neutered a few months ago, was found shot in Ħal Farruġ.

With blood dripping from her eye and grazes across her face, Moira was taken in by Happy Paws, a charity for strays, and more than 50 lead pellets were found in her face and neck.

The clinic’s vets removed the pellets from her eye, hoping to save the dog’s sight. She is now recovering well and is up for adoption.

Just a week before, a six-year-old cat was found abandoned with 150 lead pellets all over its body, including its neck and head.

The stray cat was found in “a very bad state, lethargic and in pain” in a rural area on the outskirts of Marsacala by a member of Happy Paws, who has now adopted the animal.

The white male cat, called Disco, was rushed to the clinic where it was immediately X-rayed. It is now recovering slowly, running and jumping around.

Happy Paws manager Barbie Rixon said the clinic saw many cases of “extreme cruelty” and despite new legislation, not enough was being done to protect stray dogs and cats.

“Dogs Trust Malta is running an effective neutering campaign but more needs to be done to reduce the number of stray cats and dogs on the islands and to look after the ones we already have.”

The abusers have not been caught and Happy Paws urged people to contact the Animal Welfare Department if they had any information about them.

Moira, the one-year-old dog, was treated with the money received from the fund collected last year following the horrific discovery of crossbreed dog Star, who was shot and buried alive.

Happy Paws has also used money received from this fund to treat a stray dog with amputated toes and to carry out extensive skin grafts on another dog that has since been re-homed and is recovering well.

The organisation depends on donations and its shop to run the clinic, which is situated at 41, Cross Road, Marsa. Its opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm.

For more information call 2122 7127 or go to www.happypaws.org.mt