Croydon Cat Killer

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M25 cat killer
Map of killings within the M25[1]
Date2014–2017
LocationSouth London and the area around the M25 motorway

The M25 Cat Killer (also referred to by the media as the Croydon Cat Killer or the Croydon Cat Ripper[3]) is thought to have killed, dismembered and decapitated more than 250 cats[4] beginning in 2014 in Croydon, but since spreading across and around London.[5][6][7] Further killings were recorded in November 2016,[5][8][9] with 10 feline victims being confirmed by police as linked. A description from UK Police was released that the said killer could be a white man in his 40s, with short brown hair and may also wearing a headlamp or carrying a torch.[10] ArroGen Veterinary Forensics began re-examining some animals to help police and RSPCA to bring prosecutions to animal-related crimes.[11]

Investigation

The Metropolitan Police began to investigate the series of incidents in November 2015, under the name Operation Takahe led by Detective Sergeant Andy Collin, after the local unregistered animal charity South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL) raised concerns about a series of cats found dead and missing their heads and tails.[12] Police initially looked into whether the cats had been attacked by other animals such as foxes.[13] By February 2016, the deaths of 10 cats (four in Croydon and one each in Streatham, Mitcham Common, Sutton, Charlton, Peckham and Finchley) had been linked by an examining vet.[7] Following investigation into the mutilated remains, police believed a person or persons unknown to be responsible, and cat owners in the areas were advised not to let their cats out at night.[14]

In March 2016, Det. Sgt. Collin said that the perpetrator might be only mutilating the corpses after the animals had already died and could only face charges relating to public order or theft. He noted that of the six cases being investigated, five of the cats had not been claimed which would make it difficult to bring charges of theft or criminal damage.[15] An investigating vet said he had found raw chicken in the stomachs of a number of the felines killed, believing the perpetrator was using the meat to lure the cats.[7] The RSPCA believes that the deaths were due to blunt trauma, possibly from a moving vehicle.[5] SNARL said some animals may have been thrown against a wall.[5]

The person responsible removed the head and tails of the felines, with it being assumed that the body parts are being retained as trophies. This led to local people signing a petition which reached 30,000 signatures requesting DNA testing to be undertaken on the corpses in the hope of getting a match.[16] As of March 2016, no human DNA had been recovered.[15] It is thought that the attacker or attackers could have worn protective clothes and gloves to avoid getting scratched by the cats.[7] A geographic profile of earlier victims indicates the attacker may have a base in South Norwood.[17]

By April 2016, SNARL had recorded 50 attacks across Crystal Palace, Mitcham, Streatham, Peckham, Charlton, Richmond, Orpington, and Farnborough in south London, Finchley, Tottenham and Archway in north London, Stepney in the east, and Guildford in Surrey.[5][6][7] SNARL reported that other animals including foxes and rabbits have been attacked in the same way.[5] The RSPCA has investigated 20 cat deaths, and in June 2016, SNARL speculated that the cat killer may have claimed the 100th kill following the discovery of a decapitated cat found in Morden.[18] In early 2017, decapitated cats were discovered in New Malden,[19] Crowborough in Sussex, and other locations.[20][21] In May 2017 SNARL reported that a fox head was left in the Caterham Tesco car park, however a Caterham Tesco spokesperson said they were unaware of the incident.[22]

By July 2016, the media and SNARL had begun referring to the attacker as the "M25 Cat Killer", after new reports, including a cat killed in Whyteleafe, Surrey, suggested the killer was operating around the M25 motorway.[23] After reports of animal deaths in Maidstone, Sevenoaks and seven other locations, SNARL adopted the terms "M25 Animal Killer" and "UK Cat Killer".[24][25]

In October 2017 the BBC reported that killer was believed to be behind the murders of over 370 cats. Detective andy Collins said it is possible there are copycats out there. Collins also said “Cats are targeted because they are associated with the feminine. The killer can't deal with a woman or women who are troubling him.” and that he is worried " worried that “at some stage he'll escalate or feel brave enough to move on to vulnerable women and girls.”[26]

Chronology of murders

The following is a list of killings reported by the media which are believed to have been committed by the 'M25 cat killer'.

  • June 2016 - SNARL speculated that the cat killer may have claimed the 100th kill following the discovery of a decapitated cat found in Morden.[18]
  • august 2016 - the mutilated remains of a cat were found in Otford.[29] In Bracknell a cat was found which was cut in half.[30]

February 2017 - a decapitated cat was found in New Malden, Kingston.[31]

Reactions

In February 2016, the animal rights charity PETA offered a £5,000 reward (raised from an initial £2,000 in December 2015) to anyone providing information to the police that leads to the arrest and conviction of the serial cat killer (or killers).[16][3]

Public figures local to Croydon such as Martin Clunes, Dermot O'Leary and Caroline Flack have used their social media accounts to raise awareness of the crime in the hope it leads to an arrest.[34] In an email to Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, actor Martin Clunes wrote, "As someone who shares my home with several four-legged companions I read with horror that some of the cats had been decapitated, disemboweled or dismembered – this is the stuff of nightmares."[35]

References

  1. ^ Hartley-Parkinson, Richard (25 April 2016). "Croydon Cat Killer's trail of destruction: Yet another pet has been slaughtered". Metro. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  2. ^ Dyer, Chris (2016-06-02). "Has the 'Croydon Cat Killer' claimed 100th victim?". Retrieved 2016-06-28.
  3. ^ a b "PETA Offers £5,000 Reward to Help Catch 'Cat Ripper of Croydon'". PETA UK. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Doward, Jamie; Supple, Emma (April 23, 2016). "London cat killer mystery deepens as charities investigate 100 animal deaths". The Observer. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Collinson, Anne; Hague, Tim (27 January 2016). "Serial cat killer strikes again in Croydon taking total up to over 30 animals". BBC. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e Sitala Peek (19 February 2016). "'Croydon cat killer': Animals lured with raw chicken, vet says". BBC. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  7. ^ Milmo, Cahal (27 February 2016). "Fears grow as Croydon cat killer casts net more widely". The Independent. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  8. ^ Smurthwaite, Tom (2016-11-04). "Animal charity claims M25 cat killer 'has struck again' in Surrey". getsurrey. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
  9. ^ Siddique, Haroon (2017-08-31). "Police issue description of 'Croydon cat killer'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  10. ^ Grierson, Jamie (2017-09-29). "'Croydon cat killer': forensic science lab to re-examine deaths". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
  11. ^ Booth, Samantha (February 25, 2016). "Exclusive: Police have more questions than answers in hunt for 'Croydon Cat Killer'". Croydon Advertiser. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  12. ^ Allegretti, Aubrey (27 January 2016). "Croydon Cat Killer Mystery Grows After Spate Of Attacks, As Reward Goes Up To £5k". Huffington Post UK. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  13. ^ Max Shirley (1 February 2016). "What can be done to stop the Croydon cat killer?". The Croydon Citizen. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  14. ^ a b Booth, Samantha (March 1, 2016). "Croydon Cat Killer: Cat mutilations after accidental death are not animal cruelty crimes, police say". Croydon Advertiser. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Max Shirley (12 January 2016). "Reward for capture of Croydon 'cat killer' increased to £5,000". The Independent. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  16. ^ "M25 Cat Killer Geographic Profile". Geographic Profiler. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
  17. ^ a b Dyer, Chris (2016-06-02). "Has the 'Croydon Cat Killer' claimed 100th victim?". Retrieved 2016-06-28.
  18. ^ "Fears 'Croydon Cat Killer' has returned to Kingston as decapitated pet is found in New Malden". Surrey Comet. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  19. ^ "Fears the 'Croydon Cat Killer' may have struck in Sussex". Kent Live. 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  20. ^ "Fears 'Croydon Cat Killer' has struck after more pets found dead". Croydon Advertiser. 2017-02-25. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  21. ^ "Fox cub has head cut off and left in Tesco car park in Caterham". Surrey Mirror. 2017-05-08. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  22. ^ Alexander, Stian (2016-07-13). "Croydon Cat Killer has widened brutal spree around the M25, say police". Retrieved 2016-08-07.
  23. ^ Elvey, Suz (17 August 2016). "Has 'Croydon Cat Killer' killed pet in Otford, near Sevenoaks?". Kent Online. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  24. ^ "New attack linked to 'Croydon Cat Killer'". Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  25. ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/croydon-cat-killer-british-pets-mutilated-two-year-murder-spree-still-at-large-a8027461.html
  26. ^ http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/14401822._We_feel_totally_violated___Decapitated_pet_found_in_Kingston_believed_to_be_latest_victim_of_cat_killer/
  27. ^ http://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/decapitated-pet-could-be-work-99720/
  28. ^ http://www.kentonline.co.uk/sevenoaks/news/croydon-cat-killer-otford-sevenoaks-m25-animal-100914/
  29. ^ http://www.itv.com/news/london/2016-08-17/new-attack-linked-to-croydon-cat-killer/
  30. ^ http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/15103794.Fears__Croydon_Cat_Killer__has_returned_to_Kingston_as_decapitated_pet_is_found_in_New_Malden/
  31. ^ http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/pet-owners-warned-after-cat-134085/
  32. ^ http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/m25-cat-killer-may-have-struck-in-hertfordshire-as-pet-s-mutilated-body-found/story-30535409-detail/story.html
  33. ^ Hannah Al-Othman (24 January 2016). "Croydon Cat Killer: Celebrities join the fight to catch the culprit". The Standard. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  34. ^ Virginia Blackburn (12 February 2016). "The hunt for the Croydon serial cat killer". The Daily Express. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
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