A distraught pet owner has launched a public appeal after someone shot her cat in the face with an air gun.

Rebecca Doggett found the pellet lodged between her pet’s left eye and ear, meaning the animal could have been blinded.

When Ms Doggett and her husband Phil returned to their home in Aldwick Road, Beddington, after a weekend break their cat Darcy seemed perfectly fine.

It was only when Ms Doggett scooped up the male cat to give him a cuddle that she noticed the pellet.

The couple called an emergency vet and paid £218 to have it removed, and are now urging the public to help find the gunman. 

Ms Doggett said: "There are many cats in this area and I am greatly concerned that other cats may have been shot without their owners realising it or that cats or other animals may be at risk of being used for target practice.

"Our cat could have been blinded or killed or possibly a young child nearby could have been injured when the pellet was fired."

The shooting took place between 10am on Sunday, August 24, and 4pm on Monday, August 25.

Ms Doggett bought Darcy and her other cat Bingley from the Cats Protection League about three years ago.

She says Bingley has been protective of Darcy since he was injured.

If you have any information call Sutton police quoting ref no: 4008937/14. 

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Has your cat been the victim of a shooting? Call the news desk on 020 8722 6358 or email tom.gillespie@london.newsquest.co.uk