A cat lost an eye after being shot with a suspected pellet gun.

It is the second time black tabby Mabel has been shot in two months.

The attack follows the killing of another family cat in Worthing by a sniper with an air gun, as reported in The Argus yesterday.

Mabel's owner, Karen Holland, 44, of Roundhill Crescent, Brighton, said: "It's a really horrific injury because a pellet has gone into the skull.

"It's the second time she has been shot. She came home eight weeks ago with a massive lump on her head.

"They didn't realise it was a pellet until it showed up in the recent X-ray.

"Someone in this area is shooting at cats."

Housewife Karen, who lives with partner Tim Walker, 46, said Mabel had been missing for two days.

Karen said: "I went to the garden and Mabel was staggering along the garden path with a major mess on her face.

"It was just awful. We rushed her to the vet and they said she must have been shot.

"I think whoever is doing it is a very good shot or has some kind of telescopic device."

Karen believes it may not be the first time her family pets have been targeted by thugs.

Richard Alan, another of her four cats, came in six weeks ago with wounds to his back and Karen now believes he may also have been a victim of the marksman.

Under existing legislation, attacks on family pets are classed as criminal damage.

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA's South-East region said: "There is nothing people can do to prevent it because cats go out and roam.

"We would urge parents to be responsible and not let their kids out with air guns.

"We would also urge members of the public to report incidents to us as we do prosecute."

PC Rebecca Tapp, of Sussex Police, said: "Injuring a cat like this is cruel.

"It's lucky the owner found her in time to get her treatment.

"If we find the offenders, we can prosecute under animal cruelty laws."