SHAMUS the cat is lucky to be alive after an encounter with a hunter's snare.

The silver long-haired tabby was only saved from choking to death by a quick-thinking vet who used pliers to cut the snare pulled tight around his neck.

Owner Julie Haynes, who lives in Brompton with partner Mark and four other cats, said: "I knew something was wrong when he came back into the kitchen.

"He seemed to be in distress and when I bent down, I could see some wire around his neck. I took his collar off but he still seemed to be finding it difficult to breathe so I knew I had to get to the vet's."

Even during the short drive to Kebir House in nearby Northallerton, Shamus's condition deteriorated; he was lapsing into unconsciousness by the time they arrived.

Julie said: "He had been gargling, crying and struggling in the car but he had gone limp by the time we got to the surgery.

"I thought he was going to die but the vet, Mark Glover, realised what had happened and got the pliers to cut the wire.

"Shamus still needed treatment for shock - but it was very, very close."

It didn't take long for Shamus to get into trouble. It was only his second night roaming the fields around his home.

Since his rescue from a farm in Ireland and his subsequent arrival in England, Julie had always kept Shamus indoors at night.

But, recently, he had been crying to be let out after dark - and when he didn't give up after several nights, Julie relented.

Shamus' escape owes much to the fact he managed to chew through nylon thread which would have attached the snare to a peg in the ground - but Julie is worried other family pets may not be so lucky.

"I really can't think who might want to put traps down or why. Some people have said they have heard shooting at night so it might be poachers - but I think anyone who has a pet should be careful," she said.

The snare has been handed to the police, who will be making inquiries in the village. The RSPCA has also been informed.