A HAMPSHIRE family has been left to mourn the death of their pet cat after it was shot dead.

The Stead family, of Sarisbury Green, first noticed that their eight-year-old cat Truffles was acting strangely after coming downstairs for breakfast.

Father-of-two Tim, 34, said the family heard a loud meowing noise and saw their cat curled over in the corner under a chair.

After taking Truffles to the vets, she then died from her injuries overnight.

The vets said they located an entry wound and that she had been shot, with the pellet having passed through almost her entire body.

Tim, an IT manager, said: “In my opinion, I don’t think this was an accident. It’s a huge worry for me too as we have another cat and a dog.

“We came down the stairs for breakfast at about 7.30am and my children said they could hear the meow, and we then found her.

“Now our dog Poppy won’t stop sitting in the place Truffles was found in. Animals know when something is wrong, they can sense it.”

Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident after the cat hadn’t been seen since the previous Saturday.

A spokesman said: “This was a very cruel and irresponsible act by someone which has led to the death of a much loved family pet.

“We are investigating and would urge anyone with information to contact us on 101 quoting 44170313617.”