Cat owners, be alert.

[singalto]

During the past few weeks cats have been maimed in the Croydon, the Norwood areas: tails and heads removed. A 7 month old kitten belonging to someone on Rodwell Rd was found in Pellatt rd today bearing those injuries.

[Penguin68]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/12151550/Martin-Clunes-joins-hunt-for-cat-ripper-of-Croydon.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/01/27/crodyon-cat-killings-mystery-attack-decapitated_n_9087262.html

[Laddy Muck]

I feel sick. Poor little cats. :(

[phobic3000]

No that's horrible. I heard about this guy mutilating cats around Croydon before Christmas. There have now been over 30 cats decapitated. Very disturbing. I hope they catch the psycho soon. There doesn't seem to be much media coverage.

[klandsp]

i found my cat last summer two roads away from my house in nunhead with no tail

so strange

[singalto]

landscape that is horrible...

[smith 41]

Do they know it's a guy there are psycho women about also

[Jennys]

People who find a cat with this kind of mutilation are asked to inform the police.

[phobic3000]

Yeah it could be a woman too... Thanks for pointing that out!

[Zebedee Tring]

Does anyone know whether the mutilated cats were out in street when they were attacked or whether the attacker got access to the properties where they lived? I realise that it might be difficult to say one way or the other.

In any case we have started to keep our cats in at night.

[Take Note]

They are not being taken from inside the properties as far as I am aware but they are often being dropped back so the owners find them. What the police fail to realise is that this is often how psychopathic murderers begin - with small animals. As horrific as it is already for the cats and their owners, we could be looking at something far more sinister so it really needs to be taken very seriously. The latest news a few weeks ago was he/she had moved onto dogs and even a fox.

[tomskip]

What makes you think the police fail to recognise that this is often how psychopathic murderers begin Take Note?

[Willard]

"What the police fail to realise is that this is often how psychopathic murderers begin"

You honestly think the police don't know this? Even Martin Clunes knows this:

"Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals don't stop there - many of them move on to their fellow humans. That is a scary thought indeed," Clunes added.

Hope they catch this person soon.

[lindylou]

This is seriously scary. Am keeping my cat in at night. Hope this person gets caught soon.

[Jennys]

According to an article in the Guardian today "Anyone with information is asked call police on 101, the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018, or Crimestoppers anonymously. Those who find an animal in the area that has been attacked can call Snarl on 07957 830490".

[singalto]

Jennys, thank you for the Snarl number. The RSPCA collected the kitten and I contacted the SNT who advised me to ask the kitten's owner to call 101. She said she would. I will ring a Snarl tomorrow.

[LondonMix]

Its so scary that someone so deranged has been walking around the area. I live very close to the streets in question and while I'm afraid for my cats, I'm also afraid for myself. This person is potentially going to escalate to human beings at some point so I hope the police are throwing a lot of resources at tracking him or her down.

[Ladygooner]

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/south-london-residents-work-with-police-to-find-serial-animal-killer/ar-BBpw8Fa

The article which was in the Guardian

[singalto]

I have now phoned the lovely lady at Snarl. I gather three more dead cats have been found, this time in Kenley.

[sedm]

Horrific. Does anyone know if this is happening at night or during the day?

[Earl Aelfheah]

The perpetrator is clearly deranged and needs to be caught as soon as possible. Very scary.

[bethdate]

On my way to work on Friday morning I saw a cat in my neighbour's front garden in Silvester Road. It looked like the poor thing was bearing the same injuries as you described singalto. I reported it to the RSCPA and an officer was sent over within a couple of hours. What a horrible thing for the owner to wake up to. I really hope they catch this person soon - absolutely horrific!

[Angelina]

is this being made comoon knowledge on local media? I think it should be - maybe it is - and if it isn't, I'm happy to do something if anyone has any ideas?

[singalto]

birthdate, that's the same day as the Kitten was found in Pellatt rd. did you ring 101? If not, could you possibly report it to them? Thank you.

Angelina, I emailed James Barber and BBC London but have not heard back from either. Should we tell the SLP?

[katanita]

Very concerning as a cat owner in the exact area we're talking about. Without wishing to scaremonger, it does feel though that all cat owners in the area need to be made aware so they can keep their cats in. I'd also like some more information about how this is happening (e.g. just at night? only on the street, or is this person getting into back gardens? etc) and what the current police response is.

I have absolutely no idea how to do all this, but I'd be very happy to help if someone else has. Is this one for Safer Neighbourhoods? Leafleting? A public meeting? The council?