A cat put down after being found dying in a driveway had suffered paint poisoning, it has emerged.

The 15-year-old feline called Mitsi was discovered badly injured on Carnarc Crescent in Inverness after going missing from her owner's home.

She was found with paint from the tip of her nose and around her ears, which had dried in and hardened.

Mitsi was taken to the vets by Inverness Cat Rescue and was put down after attempts to treat her.

An investigation by the Scottish SPCA was launched and subsequently found the paint would have been the cause of the cat's extensive injuries.

Senior inspector Dougie Campbell said: "We were called out to a cat who had paint in her ears and along her back, which looked as if it had possibly been done intentionally.

"She was in such a bad condition and suffering that a vet decided that the kindest thing to do was to put her to sleep.

"Initial post-mortem findings indicate that the paint would have been significant in the demise of the cat and we are awaiting toxicology to further our investigation.

"If anybody witnessed anything they should get in touch with our animal helpline on 03000 999 999."

A statement on Inverness Cat Rescue's Facebook page said: "It was first thought that the cat was victim of a road accident. When we arrived on the scene we discovered that she was barely alive.

"She looked to be a very old emaciated cat and we wrapped her in a blanket and took her straight to our vet.

"On examination she was found to be not so old, perhaps middle-aged. She had no obvious injuries consistent with being hit by a car."

It added: "Her paws were very dirty with dried on mud, her coat was covered in burrs, she was painfully thin and in a starved condition.

"But worst of all, from the tip of her nose, right along her back to the end of her tail she was covered in what looked like white paint, which had dried and hardened.

"Mitsi has been claimed by her owner, and her remains taken home. We are very anxious to point out that Mitsi came from a very caring and loving home, and that her owner is absolutely devastated and heartbroken at what has happened to her cat."