SICK thugs are believed to be responsible for critically injuring a rest home cat.

Residents at Ashford Rest Home, in Halstead Road, Eight Ash Green, were distraught after discovering one of their cats had been seriously injured.

Billy, who is only 18-months-old, is currently undergoing emergency medical treatment at the vets to see if they can save his life after he suffered a swollen eye, damaged pelvis and badly broken tail.

Andrea Crowley, deputy manager of the home, reared Billy from a kitten.

"It is so sad," she said. "He was such a friendly cat, he wouldn't say boo to a goose. The residents and my daughters adored him.

"He came home with his eye swollen like a golf ball, as if someone had thrown a rock at his face.

"The next night we found him hiding underneath the guinea pig cage. He couldn't walk on his back legs and his tail had been smashed.

"The vet didn't want to say for definite what's caused it, but they said it was unusual for him to have two separate injuries on two days. They said it looked like he could have had his tail pulled and then been kicked up the backside."

Miss Crowley said two other cats had had swollen faces or injured legs in the past.

"I know people love their gardens and cats can be quite annoying, but you only have to shoo them off or spray them with water," she said. "You don't need to use extreme force."

The care home is offering a £50 reward for any information which leads to the successful prosecution of anybody in relation to Billy's injuries.

Anyone with any information should call Colchester police on 0300 333 4444.