UTICA, N.Y. – The CNY SPCA has opened an investigation into the shooting of a domestic cat that resulted in the animal having its leg removed.

Investigator William Pulaski says the cat, named Sammy, was shot on Arlington Road.

The owner called Utica animal control when the cat came home injured, and Sammy was taken to the veterinarian where a projectile was removed.

Sammy's owner, Diane Zbytniewski, says the veterinarian doesn't believe it was from a BB gun.

“And the vet said, he’s been shot. And she asked immediately 'is it a BB gun?' and he said ‘no.' The bullet was still lodged in the cat’s leg, and it was either a matter of amputating the cat’s leg or putting the cat down, and obviously she opted to have surgery on the cat.”

Pulaski says the projectile was sent to a police lab to be analyzed to determine if it’s a bullet, BB or pellet.

The CNY SPCA is urging anyone with information about this incident to call 315-748-8889.