A Sheerness woman has told of her heartache after her beloved cat was shot with an air rifle - and had to have its tail amputated.

Jennifer Stupple feared Alfie would have to be put down after he was injured in the senseless attack.

Now the 28-year-old is warning pet owners to be alert for thugs armed with pellet guns targeting animals.

The mother-of-one became concerned when she found the feline sitting at the back door of her home in High Street because he normally roams around for much longer.

When Mrs Stupple noticed he was walking strangely, she picked up the four-year-old moggy and spotted a puncture wound on its hip.

It was not until an X-ray was performed at PDSA Pet Aid Hospital, in Gillingham, that the pellet - which is still lodged in his pelvis because it is too dangerous to remove - was discovered.

The vet warned the cat might have lost his bladder control as a result of the attack at about 6pm last Tuesday.

"I can't get my head around why somebody would hurt an animal... I can't understand how someone could be so heartless..." - Jennifer Stupple

He said Alfie would have to be put down if he did not urinate by 7pm that night.

Fortunately, Alfie went to the litter tray as soon as he got home.

But his tail had to be amputated because nerve damage meant it could not be controlled and so would have just drooped along for the rest of its life.

Mrs Stupple said she is hopeful her pet will soon be active again, but the incident has left her very upset.

She said: "I can't understand why somebody would do that. I can't get my head around why somebody would hurt an animal.

"Maybe someone was annoyed he was in their garden, but I can't understand how someone could be so heartless.

"They don't realise the hurt they've caused. I couldn't stop crying the last few days.

"I would like them to think twice next time. They may see it as trying to scare the cat away or a bit of fun, but I hope they now realise the pain and heartache it causes, not only to the cat but to the owner too."