Animal rights group PETA is offering a £5,000 reward to track down and convict the Croydon cat killer.
The group initially offered £2,000 for information leading to the successful prosecution of the person responsible for mutilating felines in the Croydon and West Norwood areas.
But the reward was today more than doubled as the group becomes even more desperate to catch the perpetrator.
More than 30 cats are thought to have died at the hands of the so-called 'Cat Ripper of Croydon' in the last two years, with at least seven pets found disembowelled or decapitated in recent months.
One of the cats thought to have been a victim of the killer was Ukiyo, who was found in Dalmally Road in September.
Other people have reported that their pets have returned home with stab wounds and fear more deaths are imminent.
Elisa Allen, PETA associate director, said: “It’s imperative that any community faced with such sadistic and violent acts take measures to find the culprit and bring him or her to justice.
“Animal abusers are a danger to everyone – they take their issues out on whoever is available to them, human or non-human, and must be caught before they act again.”
Cat owners are also being urged to keep a watchful eye on their pets and keep them indoors when possible.
Anyone with information should call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
