A cat survived being shot through the head with a crossbow bolt after four hours of surgery
The owners of Spike, who was found with the 12in arrow lodged in his skull in Sutton, St Helens, Merseyside, branded the attack "horrific".
A 39-year-old man from the area is being held by police after his arrest in connection with the incident and a "bolt-firing mechanism" has been seized.
Sandra Grogan told Sky News she would always remember the sight of her stricken pet.
"It was horrific to see this metal bolt through my cat's head," she said
"It's an image I'll never forget. All kinds of emotions went through me.
"No-one can understand how he's not had major damage or how he's even survived this traumatic incident."
Police are continuing to hunt the culprits.
Sandra's husband, Mike Grogan, called for more restrictions on the sale of weapons such as crossbows.
"It's absolutely sickening and shocking that you can buy these things on the internet quite easily," he said.
"It could very easily have missed Spike and... killed a child. That's the worse thing about it."
Sarah Roberts from Alder Veterinary Hospital, which carried out the operation, told Sky News she was shocked the bolt had missed Spike's vital organs.
"Although there is still some way to go, he is very lucky to have made it this far," she said.
"It takes a very powerful weapon to have penetrated the bone as much as it has.
"Unfortunately, this is part of a bigger picture, as we see animals that have been attacked with weapons like airguns all-too often."
Subject: Spike The Cat Survives Crossbow Bolt Attack (inc pics) 
Thu Jun 09, 2011 9:13 am
