Croydon serial cat killer

Croydon serial cat killer
Date 2014-16
Location Initially Croydon, then across and around London
Casualties
50+ dead cats[1]

The Croydon serial cat killer (also referred to by the media as the Croydon cat killer or the Cat Ripper of Croydon) is thought to have killed, dismembered and decapitated more than 50 cats beginning in 2014 in Croydon, but since spreading across and around London.[1][2][3] The most recent feline killings were recorded in April 2016.[1][4] The perpetrator (or perpetrators) remains at large and 10 killings have been confirmed by police as linked.

Investigation

The Metropolitan Police began investigating the matter in November 2015, under the name Operation Takahe and lead by Detective Sergeant Andy Collin, after the local animal charity South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL) raised concerns about a series of cats found dead and missing their heads and tails.[5] Police initially looked into whether the cats had been attacked by other animals such as foxes.[6] As of February 2016 the deaths of 10 cats have been linked by an examining vet (four in Croydon and one each in Streatham, Mitcham Common, Sutton, Charlton, Peckham and Finchley).[3] Following investigation into the mutilated remains, police believe a person or persons unknown is responsible. Cat owners are being advised not to let their cats out at night.[7]

In March 2016, Det. Sgt. Collin said that the perpetrator might be only mutilating the corpses after the animals have already died and could only face charges relating to public order or theft. He noted that of the 6 cases being investigated, 5 of the cats had not been claimed which would make it difficult to bring charges of theft or criminal damage.[8] An investigating vet said he has found raw chicken in the stomachs of a number of the felines killed believing the perpetrator was using the meat to lure the cats.[3] The RSPCA believes that the deaths were due to blunt trauma, possibly from a moving vehicle.[1] SNARL said some animals may have been thrown against a wall.[1] The person or persons responsible are removing the head and tails of the felines, with it being assumed that the body parts are being retained as trophies. This led to local people signing a petition which reached 30,000 signatures requesting DNA testing to be undertaken on the corpses in the hope of getting a match.[9] As of March 2016, no human DNA had been recovered.[8] It is thought the person/s responsible are wearing protective clothes and gloves to avoid getting scratched by the cats.[3]

By April 2016, SNARL had recorded 50 attacks across Crystal Palace, Mitcham, Streatham, Peckham, Charlton, Richmond, Orpington, and Farnborough in south London, Finchley, Tottenham and Archway in north London, Stepney in the east, and Guildford in Surrey.[1][2][3] SNARL is investigating up to 100 other animal deaths, and the RSPCA is investigating 20 cat deaths. SNARL reported that other animals including foxes and rabbits have been attacked in the same way.[1]

Reactions

The animal rights charity PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has offered a £5,000 reward (raised from an initial £2,000 in December 2015) to anyone providing information to the police that leads to the arrest and conviction of the serial cat killer (or killers).[9][10]

Public figures local to Croydon such as Martin Clunes, Dermot O'Leary and Caroline Flack have used their social media accounts to raise awareness of the crime in the hope it leads to an arrest.[11] In an email to Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, actor Martin Clunes wrote, "As someone who shares my home with several four-legged companions I read with horror that some of the cats had been decapitated, disembowelled or dismembered – this is the stuff of nightmares."[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Doward, Jamie; Supple, Emma (April 23, 2016). "London cat killer mystery deepens as charities investigate 100 animal deaths". The Observer. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Collinson, Anne; Hague, Tim (27 January 2016). "Serial cat killer strikes again in Croydon taking total up to over 30 animals". BBC. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Sitala Peek (19 February 2016). "'Croydon cat killer': Animals lured with raw chicken, vet says". BBC. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  4. ↑ Milmo, Cahal (27 February 2016). "Fears grow as Croydon cat killer casts net more widely". The Independent. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  5. ↑ Booth, Samantha (February 25, 2016). "Exclusive: Police have more questions than answers in hunt for 'Croydon Cat Killer'". Croydon Advertiser. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  6. ↑ Allegretti, Aubrey (27 January 2016). "Croydon Cat Killer Mystery Grows After Spate Of Attacks, As Reward Goes Up To £5k". Huffington Post UK. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  7. ↑ Max Shirley (1 February 2016). "What can be done to stop the Croydon cat killer?". BBC. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  8. 1 2 Booth, Samantha (March 1, 2016). "Croydon Cat Killer: Cat mutilations after accidental death are not animal cruelty crimes, police say". Croydon Advertiser. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  9. 1 2 Max Shirley (12 January 2016). "Reward for capture of Croydon 'cat killer' increased to £5,000". The Independent. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  10. ↑ "PETA Offers £5,000 Reward to Help Catch ‘Cat Ripper of Croydon’". PETA UK. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  11. ↑ Hannah Al-Othman (24 January 2016). "Croydon Cat Killer: Celebrities join the fight to catch the culprit". The Standard. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  12. ↑ Virginia Blackburn (12 February 2016). "The hunt for the Croydon serial cat killer". The Daily Express. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
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