A family cat has been paralysed after being shot at close range with an air rifle.

Eight-year-old Bonnie can no longer move her back legs, following the attack near her home in Willow Close, Canvey.

Neighbours spotted her dragging herself under a car and called a vet, who originally believed she might have been involved in a fight.

Sean Leeks, 29, whose partner, Teresa Baldwin owns Bonnie, said: "The neighbour came and knocked on the door.

"I went straight up to the vet to make sure it was our cat and there was blood coming from a wound. The vet found two .22 pellets, which he said were from a high-powered rifle. It was an up-close shot, which must have been done deliberately."

Mr Leeks added: "I know some people don't like cats in their gardens, but they can just be shooed away. There's no need to shoot them."

Mr Leeks now has to massage Bonnie's legs three times a day to improve her mobility.

He said: "She still cannot use her back legs but, in her back pads, if I touch them, her claws are beginning to come out."

The incident happened between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Tuesday of last week.

Information about the shooting can be passed to Rayleigh police, on 01268 775533.