STAFFORD — Police in Ocean County are looking for whoever is responsible for shooting a cat dead and severely beating another that survived.

Police said the township Animal Control Department found two cats about a quarter mile off Stafford Avenue on Wednesday. The cats were taken to the Stafford Veterinary Hospital for medical treatment where the dead brown-and-black tabby was found with a .22 caliber bullet in it.

Another cat suffered substantial head trauma, a head wound and had fluid and blood in its lungs, which police said was caused by being beaten or severely shaken. It is recovering and is in critical condition.

Police ask anyone who recognizes the injured brown and tan tiger cat or has information about what happened to both animals to call the Animal Control Department at 609-597-1000 X8524.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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