A cruel catapult attack on a kitten has left it with facial injuries – and sparked a police witness appeal.

Nine-month-old Bronson was targeted with a ball bearing while standing on the garden fence at his home in Stanhope, Ashford.

Owner Samantha Cox recalls how the "cheeky and mischievous" British short-haired kitten had been playing outside as she was cooking dinner.

The mum-of-two said: "I heard a noise and went out to the garden, where I found him on the floor not breathing properly and blood everywhere."

Rushing Bronson - who had been bought as a present for her daughter - to the vet, Miss Cox was told he had suffered a traumatic head injury.

It was an agonising wait as the specialists feared he wouldn't survive the night.

They stitched his head up, gave him painkillers and kept him in an oxygen chamber overnight.

Miss Cox, of Speldhurst Close, said: "The next morning he perked up a bit and has been getting better ever since."

Fortunately the kitten's sight - which had been almost completely wiped out for a week - is slowly returning, and Miss Cox hopes a sinus injury will also heal over time.

Altogether the vet bills have cost her £1,300, and the police suggested that without CCTV evidence there is little they can do to bring justice to the culprit.

The attack happened at about 5.30pm on Sunday, April 25.

Having confirmed a report was made, officers also urged anyone with information about the attack to call them on 01843 222289 quoting 46/69494/21.

The borough is a hotspot for catapult use, consistently reporting the most incidents of any region of Kent.

Just this weekend, three catapults were seized from youths at Ashford's Edinburgh Road car park.

Police recorded details of the group - all from Sevenoaks - who had reportedly been using them around the town.

In a very similar incident to that of Bronson, Trousers the cat was left with a ball bearing embedded in its face when it was attacked at a nearby home in February.

Also, in March, a spate of catapult attacks on cars and buses saw weekend dispersal orders placed on areas of Ashford.

Other things targeted in the past include birds such as seagulls and even cyclists, causing serious injury.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

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