An animal rescue team from South East London have been on the Isle of Wight this week collecting the body of a cat that was ‘murdered’.
Working with the police in Croydon and on the Isle of Wight, Tony Jenkins from the South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL) earlier this week met with the owner of the cat, Fleabag from Sandown, and has taken his body back London for a post mortem examination.
In search of the M25 Cat Killer
What has a cat found dead on the Isle of Wight got to do with animal rescue in South London?
Tony, along with his partner, Boudicca Rising, is on the trail of the ‘M25 Cat Killer’.
They believe someone has been torturing and mutilating cats across the South of England for more than two years. The official death toll is 28 – or 29 if the post mortem on Fleabag is positive – although some believe it could be as high as 150.
Tony received a call earlier this week to come to the Island and collect the body of Fleabag due to the nature of the killing. This was not a fox, he says, the poor cat’s head was cleanly removed with a knife.
Cat owners beware
SNARL are concerned that perhaps the M25 Cat Killer is on holiday on the Isle of Wight at the moment and warns cat owners to be vigilant.
Tony says,
“We haven’t had a killing up in the London area, so if they happen to be on holiday on the Isle, they will strike again.
“I have collected over 70 bodies and I can assure you the decapitation, lack of blood on the scene and public display are clear hallmarks of the cat killer.
“If it’s not our person it’s a very accurate copycat that doubles the danger!”
The owner of Fleabag (who wishes to remain anonymous) said,
“This is my lovely little Fleabag. He was such a special little chap, very loving and so trusting and friendly. He was so comical. I will miss the laughter and loving cuddles he gave.
“I am devastated by his brutal passing and cannot express my great sadness.
“Rest in peace my little Fleaflea.”
Collaboration with authorities
SNARL works very closely with the Police and the RSPCA.
Tony said,
“As a team, we make decisions around who attends scenes, collects bodies and handles post mortems.
“At the moment, the RSPCA are funding some post mortems and we are funding some through money we raised last year for this purpose.
“It’s the first case of its kind in the UK which is tough on one hand because we are breaking new ground, but good in another in that if this ever happens again, we will have some good working practices to use.”
Tony finished by saying,
“We will not give up until we have justice for Fleabag and every cat, known and unknown, named and unnamed, loved and unloved.”
Our thoughts are with the owner of Fleabag and all those who lost their beloved pets to the Cat Killer.
More info
Find out more about SNARL through their Facebook Page.
Find out more about the Croydon (M25) Cat Killer.
