'SICKENING': An X-ray of a cat killed in a nail attack in Christchurch.

This X-ray reveals the abuse suffered by a cat killed by a nail attack in Christchurch.

It has been released by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

The female cat was found dead in Sparks Road in Hoon Hay last month with a dozen 85-millimetre nails in its head.

Canterbury SPCA spokeswoman Fiona Maddison hoped information from the public would lead to the offender being caught.

"When the puss first came in, that was bad enough," she said. "To actually see the nails in its head in the X-ray is even more sickening and disturbing."

Anyone with information should call 3497057.