A fearful pet owner has attacked the sick and disgusting thugs who shot her cat and left it fighting for its life this week.

Ginger tom Fluke was found in terrible pain in Brentwood early on Monday morning after being shot with what is believed to be an airgun.

Claire Armstrong, of Rowan Green East, found her injured family pet after he had been missing overnight.

She said: "These are sick people, people who just don't care about the animals they hurt or the families they upset."

After the wounded moggy was found, his concerned family rushed him to the vet for urgent x-rays.

He was found to have a wound in his abdomen. The pellet had passed into his abdomen and into his intestines.

He underwent an emergency operation, with his chances looking grim.

But there was good news on Tuesday morning after a night of fretting for his worried family, Fluke had made it throught the night and the vet was hopeful that he would be able to pull through.

Fluke belongs to Mrs Armstrong's two-year-old son Carl and although he does not understand what has happened to his beloved cat he has been pining for his pet to come home.

Mrs Armstrong said: "He's too young to understand that the cat has been shot but he keeps asking about him, he keeps asking where Fluke is."

l If you have any information about this cowardly attack on a defenceless animal call Brentwood Police on 01277 262212.

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