POLICE are hunting a cruel attacker who shot a pedigree cat in the head with an air rifle.

Zeus, a stunning Bengal cat, now needs a life-saving operation after the mindless act in the Bransgore area of the New Forest.

He is unable to eat or drink because a pellet has gone through his head and into his throat.

Now the race is on to raise enough money for an operation to remove it, which will cost at least £1,000.

Bengal cats roam further than many domestic cats so the incident may have taken place a considerable distance from Zeus’ home in Colbourne Close.

His owner, Paul Colebrook, told the Daily Echo that Zeus appeared under the weather and was making a strange meowing noise when he came home on Monday morning.

“At first we thought he might have been stung by a wasp because he chases them, then my wife spotted a scab on the back of his head so we thought perhaps he had been in a fight.

“When we took him to the vet we were shocked to be told he had an air rifle pellet in his throat. The operation needs to be done as soon as possible because he can’t eat or drink.”

Mr Colebrook said he, his wife, Angela, and children Ethan, 10, Mason, seven and five-year-old Lexie are appalled by what has happened.

“Ethan just can’t understand why anyone would shoot a cat. He asked why people wouldn’t just throw a bucket of water at Zeus if they wanted to get rid of him.”

Mr Colebrook said the wound appears to have been inflicted from above, perhaps from an upstairs window.

A crowd-funding page has now been set up to help towards the cost of the operation because Zeus is not insured. Any additional money raised will be given to the RSPCA. It can be found at gofundme.com/zeus-the-bengal-operation-fund

Mr Colebrook said Zeus is one of two cats who are part of their family. “He is a real character. Bengal cats like water so he’ll happily jump in the bath or shower. He goes out hunting rats and mice because Bengals only eat meat - they don’t like fish.”

Information to police on 101, quoting reference number 55180126067.