The so-called Croydon Cat Killer has claimed another victim, this time in New Malden.
The latest death was reported on Monday (October 30) when a dismembered cat was brought into New Malden Vets in Burlington Road.
The female tortie cat had been decapitated, with her tail and one limb removed.
Police have offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the killer, known also as the M25 killer and the UK Cat Killer, who has been linked to more than 370 animal deaths since 2015.
Head nurse at New Malden Vets, Kathryn Baker, said: “It was brought in by an elderly gentleman who had found it in his garden.
“The man is partially sighted so he thought the cat had just been mauled- he didn’t realise the cat was missing body parts.
“The injuries were not from being hit by a car or foxes.
“We called South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL) and after describing the injuries they said they were consistent with the M25 killer.
“It was very disturbing for everyone at the practice- no one had seen anything like that before.”
Although the team could tell the cat was female, the cat was not microchipped.
However, this could have been removed with the head.
Ms Baker urged residents with cats to be vigilant.
She warned: “All cats need to be brought in by dusk.
“Very friendly cats are easily enticed and that’s it.
“Families don’t see their cats again – not whole anyway.”
Animal shelter SNARL, which is working with police to catch the culprit, confirmed to the Surrey Comet it had been to New Malden and the injuries were consistent with the UK Cat Killer.
A spokeswoman for the Met Police said: “Police will assess the latest report to see if it is linked to the cases already established as part of the ongoing investigation led by police in Croydon.
“Anyone with information is asked to call the Met police on 101 or the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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