NC Cat Harley was found mutilated by pet serial killer

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Mother-of-two Mrs Brown, 44, said Harley was especially loved by her 11-year-old daughter Tabitha. She decided to speak out to help snare the killer, who has now become so prolific that a specialist police operation has been set up. More than 400 cats and small animals have been slaughtered to date, mainly in south London. “It’s horrific,” said Mrs Brown, of Beckenham, south-east London.

NC Tabitha and Harley had a special relationship

“I have had to tell Tabitha that her cat has been murdered Samantha Brown

“I have had to tell Tabitha that her cat has been murdered by this serial killer. At such a young age she is now having to cope with such a terrible loss. “There is a serial killer stalking our cats on our leafy streets and I wonder how long it is before he stops getting pleasure from killing our pets and needs to turn to torturing and murdering people to satisfy his twisted mind.” The person behind the mutilations was originally dubbed the Croydon Cat Killer after striking within the Croydon and M25 area during the last two years. But more recently, they have been renamed the UK Animal Killer after spreading across the country and mutilating rabbits and foxes.

NC The attack on Harley the cat has left his family devastated

Killings have also taken place in Brighton and Northamptonshire. Operation Takahe now boasts a dedicated team of Scotland Yard detectives and there is a £10,000 reward on offer for the killer’s arrest and conviction. The Yard launched the special operation in 2015 after concerns about the number of killings. Celebrities including actor Martin Clunes and model Abbey Clancy have appealed to the public.

The killings have put cat owners across the UK, especially in the south-east, on high alert, with some afraid to let their pets out after dark. The death toll is closing in on 500, with more than 200 in 10 months. South Norwood Animal Rescue Liberty (Snarl) says there are now around five murders a week. Police are also alarmed by the killer’s sadistic nature with cats’ bodies often left outside owners’ homes.

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