Croydon cat killer: Fearful pet owners and animal charities insist killer is still on the loose

A cat owner from Dorset believes her ten-year-old tabby Alley was killed by a human in November
Goran Tomasevic/Reuters
Sami Quadri26 December 2021

Pet owners have expressed concern the notorious “Croydon cat killer” could still be on the loose.

A hunt for an alleged animal serial killer was sparked after hundreds of felines were reported mutilated across London between 2014 and 2018.

After a three-year probe – costing £130,000 – the Met Police said there was “no evidence” a human had carried out the killings.

However, outraged pet owners and animal rights campaigners have rubbished the claims.

Emma Blehs, from Christchurch, Dorset, believes her ten-year-old tabby Alley was dismembered by a human killer in November.

The 40-year-old – whose pet was found dead with no head or tail – told The Metro: “It is not unusual for Alley to go out for the night but we then got a call from Natterjacks Vets in Bournemouth saying someone had brought her in missing her head and tail.

“It is just horrific. How can someone be so cruel and sadistic? If your pet dies in a road traffic accident you can handle it but not this.

“It upsets me to think what Alley went through and it takes a sick twisted person to do this to a cat. I have contacted the police, RSPCA and SNARL, who are investigating the cat killer.”

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “Dorset Police received a report at around 10.25am on Tuesday, November 2, from a vet in Bournemouth that the body of a cat had been found. It is believed that the cat was killed deliberately.

“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team have been made aware and enquiries into the matter are ongoing.

“Officers can be approached by members of the public with any concerns or information while on patrol.”

Animals rights group SLAIN – South London Animal Investigation Network – have expressed fears the killer is on the prowl after reports of an attack on a cat in Sanderstead, south London, according to Inside Croydon.

Distraught owner Jodie Albutt discovered the dead cat outside her West Hill home on Sunday, October 10.

A vet concluded the cat was deliberately killed and the incident has been reported to police.

SLAIN, which monitors reports of attacks on domestic pets, told the publication: “These incidents slowed down during the various lockdowns, but have been happening on and off since they were lifted. We are actively investigating this case.

“We would ask that if anyone finds a mutilated animal that they contact us on 07957 830490 or via our Facebook page. We can then direct them to the nearest vet or arrange attendance to do so ourselves.

“Experience has shown us that publicly patrolling areas at night has cut down the number of incidents in certain areas, and in two, there have not been any incidents in over two years.”

“We are in the process of recruiting more patrollers and will consider adding more areas to the ones we currently cover if enough local people are available to do so. Full training is given to patrollers before they start. We also get leaflets out for incidents where we have enough information to do this.

“If either of these is something readers can help with, please can you ask that they send us a private message on our page.”

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