A CHARITY has slammed the mindless act of an armed thug who left a cat blind in one eye.

Caring for Cats is appealing for information after the stray animal was shot in the head twice by an air rifle in Market Weighton.

The ginger and white male was hit in the face, shattering two teeth and leaving his left eye beyond repair, but vets were unable to remove the pellets and they remain lodged in his skull and jaw bone.

The charity became involved when a concerned resident in the village helped them trap the timid animal after noticing it was injured.

A spokesman for the charity said: "It is a callous individual who can shoot a defenceless animal like this.

"It has suffered greatly with these terrible wounds over a long period. This cruelty is also not likely to be an isolated incident. We dread to think how many other cats or wildlife have been victims and not survived."

The cat is unneutered, has no microchip, and is estimated to be aged between two and three-years-old.

It will continue to receive veterinary care at the charity until it is well enough to be re-homed.