A FAMILY is unsure whether they can continue living in the area after their 10-month-old cat was shot near their Orpington home.

Tabby Strawberry was shot on January 4 between three and five in the afternoon.

John Whitney, 36, who lives with his wife, Fiona, in Petten Grove, said: "She came in and my wife said she didn't seem right and she was limping and hobbling about.

"When I got home she seemed to have developed a bit of a cough, a sort of rasping, so we took her to the vet.

"The vet thought she must have been involved in some sort of traffic accident, but when he looked he found a pellet inside her.

"I am just disgusted.

"We've only just moved to Orpington and we thought it was a nice, leafy residential area, but now my wife is of the opinion that we should consider moving."

News Shopper:

Strawberry with Fiona Whitney.

Strawberry survived the ordeal, but Mr Whitney says he and his wife are now terrified of letting her leave the house.

A police spokesman said: "There is absolutely no justification for this type of nasty, vicious and inhumane behaviour. 

We will have no hesitation in bringing anyone responsible before the Courts. 

"Anyone with any information should contact Bromley police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."