A FEMALE CAT in the Corston area has died three days after being found on a doorstep with "appalling" slash wounds.

The incident is believed to have happened at some time during September 27 after the 17-month-old black cat was let out by its owners during the morning.

Police said it was found later that day on the doorstep of the address with several slash wounds which appear to have been inflicted deliberately.

The cat, called Minty, was taken to a specialist unit at Langford Vets practice and underwent surgery but sadly died on Tuesday.

James Smith, 37, of Mill Lane, Corston, said the horrific attack had taken place on his son's third birthday.

He said: "We are truly devastated, as despite being small she was such a large part of our lives and will be sorely missed.

"Unfortunately she passed at 3am on the 29th, after we transferred her to a specialist hospital at Langford Vets.

"We would like to thank all of the vets practices and staff involved in trying to help save Minty.

"We really hope that the person(s) involved are caught and stopped before anyone else's lives are devastated in a similar way."

A vet has confirmed the injuries appeared to have been caused deliberately and now police are appealing for information and/or witnesses.

They are carrying out a number of enquiries in the Mill Lane to identify the person responsible.

PC Darren Willis said: “This is clearly an extremely upsetting incident for the owners of this poor cat who had some appalling injuries inflicted on her.

"We were hoping she would make a recovery but sadly she has died as a result of these injuries.

“We are really keen to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard any suspicious activity in the Corston area, specifically the area of Mill Lane.

"As well as this, if you didn’t witness anything yourself but you have information which could lead to the identity of the person or persons involved, please do get in touch. This is a horrendous act on an innocent animal.”

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote crime reference number 54200097897. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.