Police are investigating reports that a cat has been shot in the head by someone with an air rifle.

Distressed owner Lindsay Lee contacted this newspaper to warn other pet owner living near Chessington Close and Popular Farm Close in West Ewell. Ms Lee said: "Found out today from vet that our cat, with a sinister lump, had actually been shot with an air rifle pellet. My family are so angry and upset."

Thankfully, she described the cat as now OK.

Epsom and Ewell Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team posted on Facebook: "We have just received a rather worrying report of a cat with what is believed to be an air rifle pellet lodged under the skin in its head, from a resident in the Poplar Farm Close area near Chessington Road.

"The poor cat has had a lump under the skin since last Thursday and after a trip to the vet and an operation, it was found to be a pellet. This is a terrible case of animal cruelty if it was intentional."

Police believe the shooting took place sometime between Saturday, April 23, and Thursday, April 30.

Anyone with any information should call 101 quoting crime reference 45150037018. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.