UPDATE 2.8.18

Courtesy SNARL, South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty, Facebook.

Folks in the London area have been looking for a serial animal killer for 2 years now. (Animals are often decapitated and/or mutilated.) The suspect is thought to have killed as many as 400 animals, in particular cats.

Police have now issued a possible description of the suspect and there is a substantial reward. Pet owners are so concerned that they often have to keep their small animals inside for protection.

The case is also known as Croydon Cat Killer, M25 Cat Killer and Operation Takahe. Community members are actively involved in information sharing and posting flyers.

CASE UPDATE:

December 13

From Snarl:

I confirm that Tony Jenkins attended at Hayling Island today and examined Millie’s body. As a result of that examination, we are tentatively ruling her death into the investigation.

Because this incident is outside of London, we will need our pathologist to confirm what we suspect and this evening, Tony brought Millie back to London for that examination to take place, alongside a number of other victims. What will happen now is that we will get leaflets out on the island, in the area around Millie’s home and extending as far as local volunteers can reach. Julie Betterton-Trew will be our co-ordinator for the area and will have a map to work off. If we need to extend the map, we can and we will. In terms of the agreed Met Police protocol, what should happen is that Hampshire Police should now initiate a door to door and CCTV check. We will be asking DS Andrew Collin in Croydon to liaise with colleagues at Hampshire to ensure this happens. There is currently no vehicle identified that police can use to check against in terms of CCTV and the island is accessible by vehicle and by foot. We would ask that people bear this in mind when considering police efforts. Plenty of human murders remain unsolved for years because of a lack of CCTV, not a lack of effort. We do not believe the killer is still on the island but he is known to go back to areas and we have had a number of incidents in Havant and Portsmouth. We cannot currently predict where he will go next so our advice is to keep your cats indoors at night and let them out during the day under supervision. If you have rabbits or guinea pigs or other pets in outdoor runs, please bring them indoors unless these runs are directly covered by CCTV and lighting, which may not stop the killer but may give him pause.

November attacks:

Welling, DA16 1 – 10 November 2017:

The mutilated body of a cat was found in the area near his home. This is being ruled into the investigation and the cat has been identified.



Luton, 10 November 2017:

The body of a rabbit was found at his home in this area. This was confirmed to be a human related attack and is part of the investigation.

Dover, 14 November 2017

Two rabbits were found decapitated at their home. This has been linked to the wider investigation.

St Albans AL3 7, 16 November 2017

The mutilated of a rabbit was found at his home after being taken from his secured hutch in the garden. This is being linked to the wider investigation.

Muswell Hill, 16 November 2017

The body of a cat was found near her home in this area. We would like to thank her owners for the extraordinary courage they displayed in letting us disinter her to examine her. This has been linked to the investigation.

Northampton NN5 6, 19 November 2017

The dismembered body of a cat was found near and at her home. We and police attended and this is being ruled into the wider investigation.

Croydon CR0 2, 19 November 2017

Police were called to the body of a mutilated cat. We would like to thank the PC who attended and secured the body whilst we were in Northampton. We attended at the vets today and confirm this cat as a victim.

New Addington, CR0 0, 21 November 2017

The mutilated body of a cat was found in this area. The cat has been identified and her owners notified. Investigations continue in this case.

Erith, DA8 2, found 21 November 2017, likely to have died two weeks previously

Police and Tony attended a call to the body of a mutilated cat found near a children’s centre. Unfortunately the cat was not chipped and had been dead for around two weeks, making identification impossible. Her wounds however were deeply suggestive of the others and we have ruled her a likely victim.

Uckfield TN22 1, 22 November 2017

The body of a cat who had been missing for some time was found near his home in this area. Local police attended and confirmed this case as linked.

Orpington BR5 2, 23 November 2017

The mutilated body of a cat was found near his home. The cat bore wounds indicative of the animal killer and this has been ruled into the investigation.

Greenhithe DA9, 23 November 2017

The decapitated body of a cat was found in this area. The owner has been identified and this has been linked into the wider investigation.

Sutton, SM1 2LX Collingwood recreation grounds, 24 November 2017

We and police were called to the body of a female cat who was decapitated. She was not chipped. If you are missing a cat from this area, please contact us.

Rest in peace little ones xx