A CAT has died after being hit in the head with an 'object' flung in a slingshot attack at Canford Heath.

After being struck in the head by an 'object' flung from a catapult, the cat died following the incident at Canford Heath Road in Poole on Wednesday, October 19.

The offender is said to have fled the scene on a bicycle after the attack.

Residents have reported the object could have been a slingshot.

Police are carrying out enquiries following the incident, no arrests have been made.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: "Dorset Police received a report at 7.20pm on Wednesday October 19 2022 relating to a cat being struck by an object from a catapult in the area of Canford Heath Road in Poole.

"It was reported that the offender had left the scene on a bicycle and the cat had sadly died as a result of the incident.

"Officers are carrying out enquiries into this incident. No arrests have been made at this time.

"Officers from the Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team carry out regular patrols, including foot patrols, in this area.

"Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting occurrence 55220170583."

Canford Heath councillors are 'shocked' and 'disgusted' by the incident. 

Canford Heath Councillor, Sandra Moore said: "It’s absolutely awful, it happened very close to where I live and it could of quite easily been my cat. 

"There are a few incidents in this area involving slingshots or catapults, parents need to make sure they know what their kids are getting up to because it needs to stop. 

READ MORE: Youths use catapults to smash windows of two buses in Poole

"You hear this news and you just think what’s next, will they start hitting small children.

"People need to make sure they are reporting these incidents to the police because that's the only way it will stop.

Canford Heath Councillor, Sean Gabriel said: "I'm shocked this has happened. It's disgusting that anyone would harm a poor defenceless animal in that way.

"It's really important that people report anything important like this directly to the police instead of social media. 

"Even if you know something that you may think is minor it could help add up to a bigger picture."

READ MORE: Cats being shaved in Poole as residents suspect criminal act

Over the past few months, there have been a number of incidents involving the torment of cats in the area. 

Earlier this month a cat returned home to her owners after going missing for more than two months. She returned starved and shaved in part and her tail required amputation.

In August a family cat was killed outside its home after reportedly being punched to death by one or more youths in Poole.

READ MORE: Family left heartbroken as cat 'punched to death' outside home

Sean added: "I don't know if these incidents are linked but it needs to stop.

"It's awful and it shouldn't be happening to poor defenceless animals. 

"I pass my sympathies onto the owners of these poor animals."