A family is devastated after their beloved pet was shot and had to be put down.

Police believe a sick marksman may have deliberately targeted Robert and Tanya Harvey's cat Bella.

The couple, of Chestnut Close, Tiptree, made the heartbreaking decision to end the five-year-old's life after an airgun pellet pierced her bowel and caused it to explode.

They then had to break the news to children Joanne, 13, Connor, 12, and Karl, 10.

Mrs Harvey, 32, said she was now determined to find out who fired the gun.

"Bella wasn't just a cat to us, she was part of the family," she said. "She was always known as the posh cat', because she always wanted to be treated like a human and not a cat.

"She wouldn't sit on the floor like a normal cat, she wanted her own seat on the sofa and she used to roll over like a dog when asked to. I just can't believe she isn't here any more."

The Harveys first feared something had happened to Bella when she failed to come inside the house as usual on Tuesday evening.

  • Information to Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.