Officers are appealing for information and witnesses after a cat was shot in Borehamwood.
Between 8pm on Monday, August 8 and 4.45pm on Thursday, August 11, it is believed that six year old Fifi was shot with an airgun.
Fifi, who lived with a family in Caishowe Road, returned home covered in blood on the afternoon of August 11.
The family rushed Fifi to the vets and it was found that she had suffered a gunshot wound, which had pierced her lung and other vital organs. She was also suffering from lead poisoning.
The decision was taken to put Fifi to sleep to prevent her from suffering further.
PC Ferraroni, who is investigating, said: “This is a cruel crime that has left the devastated owners of this cat forced to make the decision to put their beloved pet to sleep to prevent further suffering.
“I am appealing for anyone with information about this incident to get in touch by calling the Hertfordshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference J1/16/2968.
“I’d like to reassure the community that there have been no other reports of cats being injured in the local area and we are working hard to identify the person responsible.”