A Littlehampton cat could be blind for life after being shot in the face with an air rifle.

Two-year-old Toby was found cowering in the garden on Friday afternoon with blood on his face.

The Chambers family, of Stanley Road, Littlehampton, rushed him to the vets where he underwent a three-hour operation.

Specialists found a metal pellet lodged behind Toby’s eye and an entry wound through the side of his nose.

Owner Lee Chambers, 42, said: “This clearly wasn’t an accident. Whoever did this was aiming for his face, it’s not like they just clipped his tail.

“He is in a lot of pain and on something like six different types of medication. 

"I just don’t want his suffering to be in vain. I want people to be aware this is going on. Whoever did this must be caught. If they did it once, what’s to stop them doing it again?”

Toby is now back at home where sister, Summer, is doing her best to look after him. Vets are pleased with his progress but have said he may lose his sight in one eye.

Mr Chambers added: “My six-year-old son Jack is upset more than angry.

“It’s difficult to explain to a child why someone would do something like that to a cat. It just doesn’t make sense to him.”

Police have put out an appeal for information. Call on 101 or email contact.centre@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 1277 of 10/11.