The animal was found wandering in the back garden of a Donaghadee home on Sunday afternoon with a chunk blown out of her tail.

Staff at Conlig's Assisi Animal Sanctuary, where the kitten is being looked after, say she may have sustained the injury up to two weeks ago.

“The tail is hard to describe, there's a huge gap in the middle,” Assistant manager Lara Forster said.

“There's no way it could be accidental — it's been deliberately in flicted by someone with a firework.

“The tail has been shattered in the middle and you can see colours round the edge of the wound.

“I think it's horrendous that anyone would deliberately inflict an injury on an animal, obviously for amusement.

To do that for fun and enjoyment is horrific.”

The tortoiseshell female has been nicknamed ‘Special Girl' by staff, due to her survival of the horror injury.

Ms Forster said that this is the first fireworks-related injury they have re ceived this year, but that more are expected as Halloween approaches.

“Cats are terrified at this time of the year, so many go missing because the noise just upsets and stresses them so much,” she said.

“Unfortunately people do aim fireworks at animals.

“When cats get a shock like this they can just take off and by the time

they calm down they find themselves well out of their own area.

“The kitten's owner may even be looking for her and wondering where she's gone.”

Ms Forster warned members of the public to be aware of the dangers of fireworks for pets at this time of year.

“If you have cats or dogs keep them indoors at this time of year, out of harm's way,” she said.

Anyone who may recognise the kitten or consider rehoming her is asked to contact Assisi Animal Sanctuary on 028 9181 2622