The so-called “cat ripper of Croydon” is, in truth, no laughing matter. Whoever he or she is, they must know the suffering they are inflicting, not only on the unfortunate cats but also their owners. One can only assume that this strange individual gains some sadistic pleasure from their activities.

The “cat ripper of Croydon” label is also more than a little offensive, summoning up images of Jack the Ripper. While the Whitechapel murders of 1888 have been parodied and long since passed into folklore, they were what we would now call serious sexual crimes against women.

Like the original Jack the Ripper, there is a degree of unhealthy public fascination with this disturbed individual, though perhaps this time round there will not be any suggestion that the perpetrator is related to the Prince of Wales or assisted by the Queen’s Surgeon.

The killer is careful. None of the cats has any human DNA beneath its claws, which might lead to identification of its slayer. If he or she is ever apprehended then the authorities will have to face the question of what would be an appropriate punishment.

For many animal lovers – fittingly in view of his habit of decapitating his victims – the guillotine or hanging would be too good.