An animal lover in Medway has been left sickened after her cat was shot with an air-rifle.

Kevena Lawrence, of Wyles Road, Chatham, took her much-loved moggie Jack to a vet on Monday after she noticed he had a sore on his back.

Kevena, 28, said: “At first I just thought the wound was a bite from some other animal, I bathed it, but it didn’t get better.

“When I took him to the vet, I couldn’t believe it when they said it was a pellet.

“I just don’t understand how anyone could be so cruel and shoot an animal. I mean, if a cat gets in your garden, all you have to do is say 'shoo’ and it will run off.

“There is just no need to shoot a cat to make it go away.

“It’s sick that someone can be so wicked and I want to warn other cat owners to be on their guard; I wouldn’t want this to happen to another cat.

“Jack is just lucky he was not more seriously injured.”

A spokesman for Medway Police said: “Neighbourhood officers in Chatham have been made aware of the incident and have carried out local inquiries.”

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Medway Police on 01634 891055 or call CrimeStoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.