An Elgin vet had to operate on her own pet cat after it was shot.
Laura Fennimore of Wards veterinary centre said she was shocked to discover the cat had been shot with an air rifle and a pellet was embedded in her jaw.
She has reported the incident to the police and is also taking it to the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Ms Fennimore said her two year old black and white moggy Figs had appeared at home in Shempston Cottages near Duffus on Sunday March 8 with a swollen chin and what looked like a scab on her face.
She said: “She seemed a bit upset and grumpy, but she can be a bit grumpy anyway.
“She tried to eat, and was still wanting to play and sleep, so I didn’t think it was too bad, but I thought I’d better bring her in to have a better look at her.”
Ms Fennimore was horrified to find that Figs had been shot through her upper jaw, breaking five teeth and going through the lower jaw to embed in the skin.
She said: “What I thought was a scab on the lip was a pellet hole.”
Figs is recovering well, but Ms Fennimore fears she may be left with the feline equivalent of post-traumatic stress disorder, and a changed personality.
She said: “I know I’m acting a bit like a paranoid mum, but it’s been quite an ordeal and a shame for a poor little innocent cat.
“It was strange at first operating on my own pet, and not my favourite day, but you treat her like any other cat.”
Ms Fennimore said air rifle attacks on cats have become quite rare, and she isn’t aware of other similar incidents in the neighbourhood.
She said: “I realise Figs could very nearly not have come back.
“I want people to be aware of what’s happened and to be vigilant, though I’m not advocating that people keep their cats indoors if they’re used to going out.”
Scores of people took to Wards Vets social media page to express their outrage and horror at the incident.
Police say they are aware of the incident and will be conducting an investigation.
