A PET owner has hit out at the "animals" who shot and kicked her cat.

Sarah Chambers' cat Molly was shot with an air gun and kicked so hard that the vet thought a car had hit it.

Mrs Chambers, who lives in Oakridge Road, Oakridge, Basingstoke, has had to fork out £250 in vet's bills already and is facing another £500 bill if her cat needs an operation to treat its internal injuries.

Mrs Chambers first realised something was wrong with six-year-old Molly at the end of last week when the cat stopped eating and drinking.

Initially, it was thought she had been poisoned, but subsequently an air-rifle pellet was discovered in her leg.

Mrs Chambers, who has had Molly since she was a kitten, said further examinations revealed that her cat also had a tear in her diaphragm from a suspected kick that may require an operation.

The 39-year-old said: "It has been quite horrific really. I just don't understand how someone could do something so violent to an animal.

"I really think whoever is doing this has serious problems. They are animals.

"I understand that cats can be a pain and make a mess in your garden, but I really don't think there is any need to do something as violent as this."

It is not the first time Mrs Chambers has experienced this sort of problem. Two of her cats - Rocky and Monty - were shot about three years ago in similar attacks.

Gus Denovan, of Basingstoke Veterinary Centre, in Brighton Hill, who treated Molly, said: "This attack was potentially life-threatening and caused Molly a lot of pain. I haven't seen an attack like this before and hope I don't see anything like it again."

Julie Jones, media and corporate communications manager for the north and east Hampshire operational command unit, said: "This was a despicable act of cruelty towards a much-loved pet. Fortunately, incidents like this are rare."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Basingstoke police on 0845 045 4545.