THE owner of a kitten which was shot by an air rifle has described those that carried out the attack as 'cowards'.

Jo Flounders, who lives in Kirkbymoorside, found her 10-month old cat, Tilly, laid out in her garden on Sunday morning.

She said: "Tilly went out as usual on Saturday and never came in at 9pm when called.

"I waited till 11.30pm and Tilly still didn't arrive back home so we presumed she was happy outside doing what cats do,

Jo added: " I went outside on Sunday morning and found her laid in the garden, had a look at her and found a wound.

"After closer inspection realised it was a shot wound so she was taken to the vets."

Jo said Tilly had been operated on and placed on a drip.

"The vets think she was shot once and it had gone straight through her and lodged in the muscle on the opposite side.

"Luckily is did not not cause damage to any organs, although we are worried about infection and hope to have her back home soon."

Jo said: "I urge other pet owners to be vigilant and keep and eye out.

"The people who did this are cowards and scumbags, anyone that can shoot at a cat or any animal for that matter are."

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: "Police are investigating reports that a pet cat was shot after it was found wounded by in Kirkbymoorside on Sunday.

Anyone with any information should call North Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference 12210129870