Kitten survives being shot in the head twice with an air rifle after being found injured in the street
This is defenceless Tia, a six-week-old kitten who was found mewing pitifully in the street after being shot twice in the head with an air rifle.
Miraculously she has survived after vets carried out emergency surgery by staff at the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare in Ringmer, Sussex, where she was taken after a passer-by heard her cries.
Disgusted staff have branded the vicious attackers 'cowards and morons' after they found a bullet lodged underneath her skull.
Survivor: Tia is still a playful kitten, as she is seen clambering over staff at the Ringmer animal welfare centre
A spokesman for the charity, Peter Lord, said 'Because she is so young her skull is still quite soft so the bullets were not immediately noticeable.
'After a few days her body started to reject them and she was taken straight to the vets.'
It was initially thought that Tia had been shot just once but an x-ray revealed that another bullet had lodged directly underneath.
The vet skilfully managed to remove both bullets and no lasting damage was done to the bone.
Emergency surgery: Six-week-old cat Tia was found at the roadside in Ringmer, East Sussex, with two pellets embedded in her skull
Still a loving cat: The playful kitten pulled through and is still a friendly cat
Mr Lord added: 'She is an amazing kitten and so far it appears that she has come through very well.
'She doesn’t seem to be scared of people and perhaps owing to her young age she doesn’t associate the incident with humans.'
Nigel Mason, chief executive of the charity, said: 'This is wanton cruelty and torture.
'It is appalling moronic behaviour by complete cowards.
'I appeal to anyone who knows who did this to come forward and do the right thing by giving either ourselves or the police information so that a prosecution can be sought.
'The veterinary and care cost to help Tia alone will be several hundred pounds.
'We desperately need the generous support of the public to enable us to continue to help many more animals in need.'
Tia has been left with a hole in her head but that is expected to grow over in time.
She is being given a couple of weeks to recover but after that will be up for adoption.
A spokesman for the centre said: 'We will be seeking a lovely new permanent home, where she can be loved and cared for - she is a very affectionate little girl, who, in spite of this terrible experience, offers much love and affection.'
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