Shocking x-ray images have revealed the injuries suffered by a cat which had been targeted with a shotgun.

White dots on Billy the cat's scans revealed more than 30 lead pellets embedded in his body, which a charity has branded a "cowardly, despicable act".

The Folkestone and Hythe branch of Cats Protection has issued an appeal in the hope that it prevents other incidents from happening to defenceless pets.

The black and white feline, who lives in Coach Road, Acrise just outside of Folkestone, suffered horrendous injuries following the incident earlier this month.

Jenny Wolfe, spokeswoman and publicity officer for Folkestone and Hythe Cats Protection, said: "Initially his owner noticed some blood on his ear and corner of an eye, together with one of his claws and tail, although there were no obvious signs of wounds and he wasn’t limping.

"But a few days later, Billy started screaming in pain and was immediately taken to a vet, who was shocked after taking some x-rays which showed he had been shot with many lead fragments embedded inside him."

The poorly puss has had to endure extensive veterinary treatment including a catheterisation procedure and further x-rays.

He was also put on a cocktail of drugs including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication and painkillers.

Despite making good progress, he has lost 10% of his body weight.

Additionally, most of the pellets shown in the x-rays remain in his body.

Ms Wolfe added that there have been no further reports: "Hopefully it is a one off incident. We have no idea what sort of age this person was, and there's no way of knowing the motive.

"What Billy's future is, we really don't know.

"The frightening thing was that it was a few days before they noticed that anything was wrong."

Folkestone and Hythe Cats Protection is urging anyone with information to contact them on 0345 260 1253 on behalf of Billy’s distraught owner.

The RSPCA has also been informed by Cats Protection, and has also been contacted for comment.