AN animal rights organisation is offering a reward of up to £1,000 in a bid to track down a cruel attacker who shot a cat in the eye with an airgun.

Nine-month-old tabby Rosebud survived the sickening attack in May but needed surgery to have her right eye removed.

Her shocked owner Mike Lavelle, 45, told the Daily Echo how he believed someone had deliberately aimed the gun at Rosebud’s eye before firing at close range.

Rosebud was found cowering at the bottom of his daughter Freya’s bed.

He said: “She was covered in blood, shaking and totally traumatised. We rushed her to the vet who found a pellet lodged in the back of her eye which was so badly damaged it had to be removed.”

The RSPCA joined forces with Hampshire police to investigate the sickening attack in Ringwood.

Now People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for her injuries.

PETA spokeswoman Sandra Smiley said: “Anyone capable of deliberately inflicting pain and suffering on a defenceless animal demonstrates a worrying psychological state.

“Animals are often practice victims for people with violent tendencies so it’s important for the safety of the whole community that this person is found.”

Mike said he hoped the reward would help find Rosebud’s attacker.

He added: “She has had an infection and has been on antibiotics but is making a good recovery.”

l Anyone with information about the Ringwood attack on Tuesday, May 3, should contact the RSPCA’s cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 or go to PETA.org.uk