A HEARTBROKEN pet owner has described the shocking moment she discovered her beloved cat had been shot and killed outside her Kidderminster home.

Annette Davies, 59, of Doverdale Avenue, had put her cat Sam out, as she did every night, at about 9pm on Sunday, April 13 but just before she was going to call the black moggie in at about 9.50pm her neighbours knocked at the door and delivered the devastating news her cat was lying dead outside their house.

A pellet was found buried in the side of the cat when Mrs Davies brought him in and a police spokeswoman told The Shuttle officers were investigating the incident and were not yet sure which type of gun was used but believed it could have been an air rifle.

Mrs Davies said: "All I heard was a car revving up outside and the neighbours say they heard one too. The noise from the car must have cut out the shot of the gun.

"I had Sam two years and it had really shaken me up - I was heartbroken. I do not know why someone would do this. People are evil and it is a cruel world. I cannot even guess because I do not know who did or even who would have a gun.

"I am heartbroken I have lost him. I even phoned up my friend, who is with the RSPCA, to see if she had any kittens I could have because I miss him so much. He was a good companion. I got him for my granddaughter but it turned out he did not really like children - he was more an adult cat."

Following the incident, the cat was buried in the garden.

The spokeswoman for West Mercia Police said: "It looks as though the cat has been shot in the side. We would like to hear from anyone who heard or saw anything or saw anybody carrying a firearm of any sort.

"We have no information on what type of firearm it was but it is thought an air rifle might have been used. We are doing some investigations and there were no other incidents like this in the area."

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident 734-S-130414, or call independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.