A six-week-old kitten had a lucky escape after being found with two bullets lodged in her skull.

Vets carried out emergency surgery on young Tia after she was shot in the head by an air rifle.

Those responsible have been branded “cowards” with an animal charity calling their “moronic behaviour” tantamount to torture.

Tia was found meowing loudly by a member of the public near The Broyle, Ringmer, where there was no sign of her mother.

Staff at the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare took her in but it wasn’t until a few days later that they became aware of the extent of her injuries.

Peter Lord, from the centre’s fundraising team, said: “Because she is so young her skull is still quite soft so the bullets were not immediately noticeable.

“After a few days her body started to reject them and she was taken straight to the vets.”

It was initially thought that Tia had been shot just once but an x-ray revealed that another bullet had lodged directly underneath.

The vet skilfully managed to remove both bullets and no lasting damage was done to the bone.

Mr Lord added: “She is an amazing kitten and so far it appears that she has come through very well.

“She doesn’t seem to be scared of people and perhaps owing to her young age she doesn’t associate the incident with humans.”

Nigel Mason, chief executive of the charity, added: “This is wanton cruelty and torture.

“It is appalling moronic behaviour by complete cowards. I appeal to anyone who knows who did this to come forward and do the right thing by giving either ourselves or the police information so that a prosecution can be sought.”

He added: “This is yet another example of the pressure Raystede is currently under to help animals in need.

“The veterinary and care cost to help Tia alone will be several hundred pounds.

“We desperately need the generous support of the public to enable us to continue to help many more animals in need.”

Tia has been left with a hole in her head but that is expected to grow over in time.

She is being given a couple of weeks to recover but after that will be up for adoption.

A spokesman for the centre said: “We will be seeking a lovely new permanent home, where she can be loved and cared for – she is a very affectionate little girl, who, in spite of this terrible experience, offers much love and affection.”