A reward has been offered for information on the person who shot a family's beloved kitten with a crossbow in Co Antrim.
Family pet Tigger was just 7.5 months old when he had to be put to sleep after returning home with a crossbow bolt in his abdomen around 5pm on March 16 near the village of Kells.
One of his devastated family said the bolt had "punctured the kitten's heart".
He added: "There is a £500 reward for the person that helps me find the murderer of our family pet. Please share so we can get justice for this poor animal, someone has to know something.
"The arrow punctured the kitten's heart and is now put to sleep.
"Words can't describe how I feel about this! An innocent kitten can't go outside without getting shot with a bloody crossbow."
"Who would do this to a poor defensive animal?" asked another. "This type of cruelty cannot be allowed to happen, makes my blood boil!"
Police are appealing for information on the attack.
Officers in Mid and East Antrim said in the early hours of March 17: "Police attended a call today in the area of Connor whereby a young cat 'Tigger' has lost his life. This was as a result of been shot by a bolt.
"The young cat returned to his home address today at around 1700 after being let out at 1200.
"Police are requesting for any information to assist with an on going investigation into this matter.
"Should anyone from the Kells and Connor area feel the information they have may be useful please contact the police on 101 quoting CC 1746 16/03/21."
For the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.
