Young cat hurt in airgun attack

Fergus the cat is now recovering from his shooting ordeal

Police have appealed for information after a young cat was shot with an airgun in an Aberdeenshire village.

One-year-old Fergus was left with a pellet close to his spine after the attack in Tarves.

X-rays showed how close the pellet had come to injuring the cat even more seriously.

Grampian Police said the incident happened on Saturday morning and described the attack as "cruel and inexcusable".

The pellet is unlikely to be removed as it is so close to the spine.

The Scottish SPCA joined police in appealing for anyone with information to come forward.