A pet cat died while another feline was severely injured after they were reportedly hit by a crossbow in separate incidents.

The incidents took place in the Kerrow Drive area in Kingussie, a town in Highland in Northern Scotland. The animals were targeted on separate occasions between Monday and Friday, Strathspey and Badenoch Herald reported.

The cats were found by their owners with serious wounds from crossbow bolts. One cat, named Nuke, owned by Jack McLean, survived following treatment by a veterinarian, while another feline, named Theo, owned by Aidan Bruce, died.

McLean found Nuke, a 10-year-old moggy, with a nine-inch bolt lodged in its neck two days after it went missing. The dart struck through the cat’s shoulder blades and between its lungs, stopping just shy of hitting its heart and spine, according to Daily Record.

No additional information about Theo was available.

Police are appealing to the residents for any information leading up to the identification of the suspects involved in the horrific attacks.

"We are eager to trace whoever was responsible for these attacks and I am appealing to members of the local community to assist us with identifying those involved," Sergeant Craig McGhee said in a statement. "If anyone saw anything suspicious around the time of this incident or has information that could help with our ongoing enquiries then please get in touch."

In April, animal rescue authorities in Oahu, Hawaii, claimed that stray cats were shot with blow darts by soldiers at the Schofield Army Barracks after multiple injured cats were brought to a vet for treatment. KAT Charities, an animal rescue organization, shared a picture of an injured cat on Facebook.

In the photo, the feline was seen bleeding as a dart was still lodged in its neck.

KAT Charities founder Dr. Karen Tyson told KHON 2 at the time that there are reports of multiple injured cats in the area, two of which were found mutilated near a local fast food joint. The cats were reportedly found with their stomachs slit open and intestines spilling out. Tyson said it was evident from their injuries that the cats weren't accidentally run over by a car but were killed on purpose.

In response to the attacks, the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii issued a statement at the time, vowing to bring the culprits to task.

crossbow
The police found him dead in the sauna alongside a cross bow used to attack him. pixabay
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