A woman whose son's kitten was shot with an air gun has branded the culprits "sick and deranged"

Curtis's seven-year-old son's tabby cat returned to her home in Bailey Bridge Road, Braintree, at about 9.45am on Sunday after being shot.

The six-month-old kitten Kim was wounded in the shoulder.

Mrs Curtis and her neighbour took the cat to The Veterinary Practice, Millennium Way, Braintree. It had an operation to remove the pellet.

Mrs Curtis, 42, said: "I think it is just sick to shoot an innocent cat who can't defend itself.

"I am now left with a vet's bill of £130, and want these people caught before another cat falls victim, and some compensation for my cat."

The cat was kept in overnight for observation and allowed home yesterday morning

Mrs Curtis and Braintree police have appealed for anyone with any information, or who knows anyone with an air gun in the Bailey Bridge Road area to contact Braintree police on 01376 551312

Published Tuesday January 20, 2004

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