SICK yobs shaved a chunk of fur off a cat in a cruel attack.

Five-year-old Mia returned to her home in Armada Close, Laindon, on Saturday with part of her coat missing.

Echo:

Owner Kerry Harrington, 33, found her pet cowering in the corner licking a sore, red wound.

The cat appeared to have been shaved with a razor down one side of her body.

Mrs Harrington said: “I came downstairs and I could see her hiding in the corner licking herself.

“It looks like someone has grabbed her by the collar, pulled it up and shaved her fur with a razor. You can tell it’s very sore and she’s wary of going out now.

“She’s even a bit unsure when we go near her now. She’s acting completely out of character.

“The vet told us she is going to be OK, but it’s the fact someone could do this which is worrying me.

“It’s animal cruelty and whoever is responsible needs to be stopped.

“Mia doesn’t go out far, so this must have happened nearby. I’m suspicious of everyone now.”

Mrs Harrington, who owns two other cats and a dog, brought Mia as a present for daughter Emily, now 11, five years ago after she underwent two eye operations.

Mrs Harrington has warned her neighbours to be on the lookout for the attackers.

The incident has been reported to the RSPCA, and officers are investigating.

Spokesman Andy Robbins said: “The RSPCA received a call from a concerned member of the public from Laindon, on Saturday afternoon, who reported that their cat had returned with an area of the animal’s fur shaved.

“We advised the caller to take the cat to their vet for a precautionary check-up.

“If anyone else in the Laindon area has any information about how this, or any similar incident, may have happened, they should contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.”