Southwark residents have been urged to keep their cats indoors after two cats were found mutilated in Dulwich last week, sparking fears that the Croydon Cat Killer has begun operating in the borough.
Boudicca Rising, who has investigated more than 50 brutal animal deaths linked to the disturbing killer, revealed to the News: “One cat was found beheaded, while another kitten was found without a tail and with its stomach split open. It is horrible, really horrible.
“The one we have confirmed was found in Pellatt Road, but we are waiting for a post-mortem on the other cat before confirming it as being the same person – although the signs are there.”
Both cats were found “displayed” in a public place and with no blood at the scene – trademarks of the sick killer.
She urged the borough’s residents to “be vigilant” and “keep their pets indoors – if not possibly during the day, then certainly at night.”
Boudicca, who runs South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL) with her partner Tony, said they believed at least one of these attacks was definitely the work of the sadistic criminal known as the Croydon Cat Killer, the Cat Ripper of Croydon and the M25 Animal Killer.
The deaths will worry Southwark pet owners as it marked the killer’s first foray into the borough, after largely operating further south until now.
She said: “One way of looking at it is that we have pushed him out of Croydon due to the attention – but we are also looking at historical killings from across London.”
Boudicca said that there was a possibility that the person behind the attacks was using the killing as a stepping stone towards vicious attacks against humans – although warned against hysteria.
She said: “There is potential for a person to do so but the fact that they haven’t already might mean they’re not going to. We spoke to three psychologists: two of them believed there was potential to build up towards attacking people, but one said that because the attacks against cats have been going on for so long shows that they couldn’t move past it.”
Boudicca said that while they were keeping an “open mind” about the killer, she believed him to be male.
She said: “Due to the nature of some of the attacks, which would require a strong person, we think he’s a man. I’m not convinced but it is most likely.”
She urged any Southwark residents who finds, or have previously found, a mutilated cat to call SNARL on 07957 830 490 or 07961 030064.
A spokesperson for the Met Police confirmed that officers were investigating “cat deaths” in Croydon but were hesitant to link them to the Dulwich attacks without investigation. Anyone with information is advised to ring police on 101.