An Angus family has been left distraught after their pet cat was shot dead.
Henry Blaine, 53, has said the death was “like losing one of the family”.
A police hunt is under way for the person who shot the seven-year-old tabby.
Wowser went missing on Thursday and was found dead by Henry Blaine on a grassy embankment on the south side of Barry Burn on Saturday.
She was found near to the footpath that runs alongside houses on Macdonald Smith Drive where the family stay.
Mr Blaine, a design engineer, spent two nights looking for Wowser before he discovered her on the embankment.
He said it was clear she had been dead some time but he could find no marks or blood on her body to suggest any foul play.
The local vet could not find anything either and suggested natural causes, but Mr Blaine was convinced “something was not right”.
He took the cat home and began to separate the fur from its body when he discovered a small trace of blood.
He then found a small hole and called Scottish SPCA officials, who discovered an air gun pellet lodged in the animal.
Mr Blaine, who is married with two sons, aged 14 and 16, said Wowser was a friendly cat who never ventured far.
He said: “She used to make a ‘wow’ sound which is how she got her name. Every morning she woke us up if she thought we had been too long in bed.”
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said it was a “very serious and cruel act”.
He said it was also an offence that can be punished by a prison sentence and a fine of up to £20,000.
“Anyone who thinks it’s acceptable to use an airgun in this way has no consideration for the welfare of others and should not be in possession of such a weapon,” he added.
“If anyone has information on this mindless act of cruelty we would urge them to contact our animal helpline or Police Scotland on 101.”
Police Scotland have been carrying out house to house inquiries in the area and would appeal to any who has information that could assist their investigation to call them on 101, or speak to any officer.