Sophie, a tabby cat, suffered at the hands of attackers in the Trevean Road area of Penzance.

She was stabbed three times, once in the face. The attack has resulted in her losing an eye.

Her owner, Judith Carruthers, said she was "devastated" by the incident. The RSPCA said it would prosecute if it finds who was responsible.

'Firm hold'

Ms Carruthers, who has had Sophie since she was a six-week-old kitten, said: "I just cannot imagine what sort of monster could attack a friendly and loving cat in this way.

"We have all suffered as a result of what has happened to her."

As well as being stabbed in the face, the pet had one stab wound which went straight through her leg, and another deep gash in her abdomen which could have caused fatal internal injuries.

Vets said the attack was probably carried out using a knife with a 3in (7.6cm) blade.

Vet Sibylle Kuonen, from the Cornwall Animal Hospital in Redruth, who treated Sophie, said: "These injuries would not have been easy to inflict.

"The person responsible must have had a firm hold of her while she was tortured in this way."