A CAT has been decapitated and pigeons shot in a series of animal cruelty incidents across Sussex this week.

A domestic cat found with no head in a Peacehaven garden has been reported to Sussex Police by a horrified vet.

A force spokeswoman said police had no idea how the cat – which also had a missing leg and tail – had been injured.

The RSCPA is separately investigating violent thugs shooting pigeons in Hove.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “A decapitated cat was found in the back garden of a house in Capel Avenue, Peacehaven, by the home owner on Monday at 8.20am.

“The cat was also missing its front leg and its tail. It is not known who the cat belonged to and it was not microchipped.

“The incident was reported to the police wildlife officer for the area.”

Three shot birds were found in Sackville Road near the railway bridge on Tuesday. It follows an incident a few weeks ago in which three other birds were found dead.

Two pigeons were found in the alleyway behind a back garden, already dead, and a third injured bird was found inside the garden. They were taken to the vet who found a bullet in the body of the injured bird, which had to be put down.

RSPCA inspector Tony Pritchard said: “There are too many coincidences here for this to have been a one off occurrence or an accident - we are seriously concerned someone is intentionally shooting birds and may continue to do so unless they are stopped.

“It is likely that all the birds were left to suffer a long lingering death - as would have happened to the injured bird had these kind people not called us.

“We would like to remind people it is an offence to intentionally injure wild animals in this way and urge anyone who knows anything about the shootings to let us know.”

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, killing or injuring a bird can result in a six-month prison sentence or a £5,000 fine.

Anyone who knows who is responsible for shooting the birds should call 0300 123 8018.