The Scottish SPCA is making an appeal for information after a cat was cruelly shot by a crossbow in Cumnock.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted on June 22 by a concerned member of the public who observed the cat with a crossbow bolt in its abdomen. 

Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer Euan Douglas said, “We were notified of the incident by a worried member of the public.

“The cat had been shot with a bright green crossbow bolt which was still protruding from its side.

“We attended the location and scoured the area but couldn’t find the cat. There was a second sighting a few streets away, so the cat was still mobile despite the serious injury.

“We are very thankful to the local community who also tried to contain the cat, but to no avail.

“This was a deliberate and incredibly cruel attempt to wound, or kill, this cat. We believe it’s the second incident of this kind in the last month. The person or persons responsible must be caught before they do this again.

“We are working closely with Police Scotland in this instance due to the criminal nature of the act.

“We haven’t yet managed to locate the owner so if you think this is your cat or you have any information on the incident, please contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999 or Police Scotland on 101.”