POLICE have released CCTV images of a man they believe is connected to a ‘barbaric’ incident in which a cat was shot dead with an air gun in Ebley.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, May 31 in the Devereux Crescent area of Ebley.

Eight-year-old lilac tabby Percy was shot dead in the attack, leaving his owner Melangell Penrhys and her 11-year-old son Morvan devastated.

A police spokesman said on Twitter: “We’d like to talk to this man after a cat was shot in the Devereux Crescent area, Stroud on 30/31st May. Call 101 & ask for PC Gay with info.”

Percy was taken to Clockhouse Vets in Bowbridge but even with six pairs of hands doing all they could, the feline could not be saved.

At first it was believed Percy had suffered some kind of head injury, perhaps sustained in a car accident, however it was later discovered via an X-ray that he had been shot.

“I just don’t understand who would want to do anything like this,” said Melangell following the incident.

“Percy was a very friendly cat who was well known in the neighbourhood, he would pop in and out of people’s gardens.

“He was very noticeable because he only had one eye, unfortunately he was hit by a car a few years ago so he did look a bit ragged.

“If someone didn’t like him, I don’t know why they didn’t just shoo him away instead of shooting him.”

If you recognise the man in the images call police on 101, quoting incident number 199 of Wednesday, March 31 and ask for PC Gay.