Both a kitten and it's mother have both died after suspected pellet gun shootings in Barnehurst.

The Missing Paws Team have released an appeal after two separate incidents have led the deaths of two much-loved pets.

The volunteers group say they were contacted this week by a veterinary practice who had been granted permission by a local Bexley owner.

The practice had had a five-month old kitten rushed to them with difficulty breathing, and after closer examination, the vets discovered she had been shot in the chest with a high-powered pellet gun.

The Missing Paw Team - a cat, shot with a pellet in Barnehurst.

The Missing Paw Team - a cat, shot with a pellet in Barnehurst.

His injuries were classed as unsurvivable, and the sad decision was made to put him to sleep due to the pain and suffering.

The vets said the owner was "understandably devastated."

Two weeks earlier, the victim kitten's mother had died in the owner's arms.

The Missing Paw Team - a cat, shot with a pellet in Barnehurst.

The Missing Paw Team - a cat, shot with a pellet in Barnehurst.

The cat, who had been perfectly healthy, was found with just a small puncture wound, and whilst the cat was laid to rest in their garden, it is believed this cat was also likely the victim of a gun pellet.

The volunteers say police have been notified, but are limited to what they can do without witnesses.

So the Missing Paws Team are asking the public for help.

The mother cat died on March 31 after an incident in Barnehurst between 5:30pm and 6pm, and the second incident happened on April 13 between 10:30 and 11am.

The team are asking if anyone who lives or travels through Holmesdale Grove in Barnehurst saw anything.

Or if anyone or who walks their dogs at Barnehurst golf course or the sports field by Perry Street witnessed something, or if anything was spotted in the area behind the gardens of Holmesdale Grove.

If so, please get in touch with the team at info@themissingpawteamuk.co.uk which will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence.

"Don’t let another pet loose their lives.......speak out now," the team added.