A beloved pet cat has been shot dead in Orpington.

Bailey, a four year old tabby, was discovered by neighbours lying on their patio with a gunshot wound in his leg.

The male cat was missing for three days from his home, in Stowe Road, before the gruesome tragedy was discovered.

His owners, who do not wish to be named, said they knew something was wrong the first day he did not return, describing Bailey as 'the kind of cat to be waiting for them when they got home'.

Despite their best efforts to find him, including putting up posters, Bailey's body was discovered on October 19 with an air rifle pellet lodged in the bone of his back leg.

His owners now fear their other cat, and any others in the area, are at risk if the culprit is not caught.

RSPCA inspector Ellen Thomas said: "It looks like poor Bailey was trying to make his way home but never quite made it.

"Who knows how long he suffered before the shot proved fatal. It is just horrible to think about.

"We would like to hear from anyone with any information on who shot him.

"Unfortunately this is not such a rare occurrence as you would hope. Cats - and wildlife - tend to be vulnerable to such deliberate attacks simply because they are out there in the open on their own.

"We would urge people to remember it is a legal as well as moral offence to cause deliberate cruelty to an animal in this way."

Do you have any information? Contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.