A fox cub, several crows and even a pet cat have been shot by someone wielding an air-rifle in recent weeks.

The fox cub was injured so badly it had to be put down while two crows also died and the cat was left needing extensive treatment.

The cat, a grey and white tabby named Willow was shot yesterday in Stoneleigh Avenue, Worcester Park.

The animal's owner had let it out at about 3pm, only to find it badly injured outside her patio doors at 4.45pm.

The cat was taken to the vet who found an air-rifle pellet embedded near its eye.

The pellet has been removed and Willow is recovering but is still in need of extensive treatment.

The fox cub was found in a garden in Oxford Road, Carshalton, last week.

It was taken to the Riverside Animal Centre where it was x-rayed and a pellet was found near its spine.

The pellet was restricting movement in the animals legs and it had to be put down.

Two dead crows and an injured crow were found in Beddington Park on Thursday, April 25.

The animals were taken to the Riverside Centre and found all three birds had been shot with an air-rifle.

The injured crow is recovering after treatment. It is thought someone shot the birds either from a window overlooking the park or from inside the park itself.

Sutton Police Constable Heath Keogh said: "It seems that a person is using an air weapon and using local wildlife and domestic pets as target practice.

"If you have any information that could help us, please call. We need to catch the person responsible."

It is illegal for anyone under 17-years-old to own an air-weapon. It is also illegal to carry an air weapon in public without a reasonable excuse.

If anyone has any information, they can call police on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.