TWO cats narrowly escaped death after they were subjected to separate horrific catapult attacks.

Black cat Ozzy was discovered cowering underneath a van covered in blood and with a terrible eye injury.

As vets removed Ozzy’s eye, they were shocked to discover a marble-sized ball bearing.

Owner Kevin Applin, 45, of Melbury Avenue, Poole, slammed the attack on Ozzy as “despicable”.

He said: “My partner was taking the kids to school. They were out front and saw the cat under the van. His left eye was probably five to six times normal size. It was very unpleasant.”

Vet Ben Johnson at The Pet Practice, who treated Ozzy, said it was “barbaric” to use a catapult to attack a cat.

He added: “The cat is lucky to be alive. I’ve never seen anything like it in ten years.”

A Dorset Police spokesperson said they were investigating.

In another incident, Jasper the kitten, was found with a badly injured eye near his Colehill home by owner Sarah Bennett.

During an operation to remove the seven month old’s eye, vets found two split shot fishing weights embedded in it.

Sarah Bennett, said: “I don’t know how someone could do it. He’s basically just a kitten.”

Chris Dixon, owner of St Mary’s Veterinary Clinic in Ferndown, where Jasper was treated, said: “It’s one of the most horrific things I’ve seen.”

It follows a recent similar attack on nine-month-old tabby Rosebud in Ringwood.

An RSPCA spokesperson said it was impossible to say if the incidents were linked but added: “We are very keen on hearing any information about either of the incidents especially if they have seen anyone in the area using a catapult.”

If you have any information, please contact the RSPCA cruelty and information line in confidence on 0300 1234 999 or Dorset Police on 01202 222 222.