The owner of a cat that was killed by a pellet gun in Hatfield has slammed the “disgusting” attack.

Lobsang Sherpa’s cat Albus was found bleeding in a rear garden in Homestead Road, on February 6 at around 3pm.

He took the one-and-a-half-year-old to a vet, who warned it was touch-and-go whether he would pull through, before internal bleeding was later discovered.

The University of Hertfordshire student agreed to have Albus put down, and buried him later that day.

“It’s so shameless,” Lobsang told the Welwyn Hatfield Times. “Someone has pulled out their gun and shot him. I do not understand how someone could have been that cruel.

“I feel like I have lost a lot of trust in people.”

He added: “Albus was a big part of the family. We had him since he was a baby and he’s just gone.

“It feels like we have just lost a little family member.”

The ordeal cost the 20-year-old around £1,000 in vet bills.

Police are now investigating, and PC Kelly Woodward said: “I am appealing for anyone who has information about this incident, believes they know who is responsible or heard any loud bangs that could have been a pellet gun firing in the area around the time stated.”

Officers can be contacted via 101, quoting crime reference B2/17/615.