'Despicable' thugs kill pensioner's pet cat by shooting it 16 times with airgun

Police are hunting vile thugs who killed a pet cat after its horrified owner found the beloved pet riddled with 16 airgun pellets.

The ginger tabby cat's elderly owner was walking around her garden when her cherished companion limped home, fell off the wall and collapsed.

The distraught pensioner from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, scooped up her pet and took it to the vet where x-rays revealed the feline had been shot 16 times.

[Pictures: Grumpy cat unimpressed at house fire rescue]

The poorly pet had to be put to sleep, following the air gun attack on Monday May 6.

PC Stephen Hanlon, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: 'This is a despicable crime in which someone has targeted this defenceless animal and injured it ultimately resulting in its death. This has caused great distress to the owner.

'I would like to speak to anyone who has any information about this crime or who committed it.'

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact.