A cat is in a serious condition after being shot with an air gun.

Police have launched an investigation after Beau, pictured left, was hit by a pellet in the Barnsole Road area of Gillingham.

She required veterinary treatment and suffered damage to his spleen, bowel, pancreas and kidney.

Medway Police officers have carried out house-to-house enquiries and are viewing CCTV footage in an attempt to establish how her injuries were caused.

PC Marissa Murray said: "We take incidents such as this very seriously.

"This was a mindless act of violence against a defenceless animal and I would encourage anyone who knows about this incident or knows of people using pellet guns in this way to contact police immediately."

Beau was shot by an air rifle sometime during the afternoon of Thursday, February 17.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to phone police on 01622 690690 or CrimeStoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.