KENT Police are seeking information after a 14-year-old Persian cat called Ben was hit by a crossbow bolt.

It is believed the incident happened in the Warwick Road area of Kennington, Ashford, between midnight and 9am on Monday, October 9.

Ben's owner, 37-year-old Andrew Williamson, discovered the injury when the animal returned home that morning.

"When I came downstairs I noticed that Ben had this orange thing stuck in him," said Mr Williamson. "I pulled it out and saw it was a bolt from a crossbow.

“He was shot behind the front foreleg on the left hand side. I believe he’d had it in him all night because there wasn’t much blood.”

Mr Williamson took Ben to a veterinary clinic where he was given injections.

Mr Williamson said: “He’s been lucky because it went in at an angle, or perhaps it hit him when he was lying down, because the length of this thing was at least his width."

Community police officer, PC Joe Scott, said: "This was a serious incident and emphasises how dangerous this type of weapon can be in the wrong hands.

"I am keen to speak to anyone who may have information which is going to assist with this inquiry.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Scott on 07870 252959 or one of his colleagues at Ashford Police Station on 01233 896181.