A cat managed to return home after being blasted by a shotgun, police said.

North Yorkshire Police is now appealing for information after the pet was injured near Cropton, Pickering.

It happened overnight between Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18 and the injured cat returned home.

A police spokesperson said: "A vet later confirmed that the cat appeared to have been shot by a shotgun cartridge as it had numerous pellets within its body.

"The cat survived and is recovering while being cared for by its owners.

"We’re appealing for information about the incident."

Please email louise.neville-beck@northyorkshire.police.uk if you have any information that could help our investigation.

Alternatively, you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Louise Neville-Beck, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

Please quote reference 12240153064 when passing on information.