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Reuben, a two-year-old black Labrador retriever, was wounded by air rifle fire in a car park in Calthorpe Street, Banbury around 10.30am on Thursday July 23.

Reuben and his owners used to live in Banbury, but have since moved to Shropshire. His owners popped back into town last week to visit family and the local dentist.

Reuben was taken to West Bar Vets where an X-ray was taken and staff discovered the air rifle pellet still inside his body.

Reuben, a black Labrador retriever, who was injured in an air rifle shooting in Banbury last week

Reuben's owner said: "He's a bit rattled, and so are we. He's okay, but he's not sleeping right. They've left the pellet in him. It would be quite a big operation to take it out."

Reuben's owner has asked not to be named due to the nature of the incident.

Thames Valley Police have confirmed a 24-year-old man from Banbury and a 24-year-old man from Oxford were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in connection to the shooting in the car park last week.

Both men have been released on bail.

X-ray which shows a pellet found inside the body of the 2-year-old Labrador retriever Reuben from an air rifle shooting in Banbury

Reuben's owner added: "I hope our unfortunate story will help dog walkers be extra vigilant in the town."

Police officers also responded to reports a man had been shot by an air rifle later on the same day around 12pm on Thursday July 23 in the Calthorpe Street area.

The victim, a man in his 50s, received treatment at hospital for his injuries.

Police made three arrests in connection to the air rifle shooting of the pedestrian.

Police arrested two 24-year-old men, both from Banbury, on suspicion of assaulting a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage, firing an air weapon beyond premises and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class B, namely cannabis.

A third man, a 25-year-old from Oxford, was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage, firing an air weapon beyond premises and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class B, namely cannabis.

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: "It is believed these are linked."

An investigation is ongoing into the incidents, and anyone with information can contact police on 101, or online, quoting reference 43200226117.

Man urges Banbury dog walkers to stay vigilant after dog wounded in air rifle shooting