Police Launch Manhunt for Cat Torturer After Horrific Mutilation Case
Authorities are urgently searching for a perpetrator who brutally mutilated a cat, gouging out its eyes and cutting off its tail, before leaving the deceased pet on a random doorstep in south east London. The black domestic short-haired cat was discovered in a state of severe trauma, with additional injuries including a broken jaw and disembowelment, prompting a joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the RSPCA.
Disturbing Discovery on Residential Doorstep
The cat was found dead at approximately 8am on Saturday, February 7, on the doorstep of a home in Axminster Crescent, Welling. Residents reported that the animal was not present at 6am, indicating it was dumped between 6am and 8am. The average house price in the area is £502,250, according to Zoopla, highlighting the shocking nature of the crime in a residential neighbourhood.
RSPCA Inspector Clive Hopwood described the scene as "very upsetting" and noted that the cat was "completely mutilated." He emphasised that while some injuries might align with a road traffic accident, the circumstances and specific wounds suggest deliberate harm. The cat's eyes had been removed, its tail was cut off, and organs were pulled through a cut at the back of its body, with additional damage to its rear claws.
Investigation into Deliberate Cruelty
Initially, officials suspected the cat might have been hit by a car, but a veterinary examination revealed inconsistencies. The RSPCA spokeswoman stated, "It is unclear whether other injuries occurred before or after death," but Inspector Hopwood expressed concern that horrifying injuries like the gouged-out eyes could have been "inflicted deliberately." The cat was neutered and microchipped, but the registered phone number is out of service, complicating efforts to identify the owner.
Police and the RSPCA have issued a public appeal for information, requesting dash cam, doorbell, and CCTV footage from the area during the relevant time frame. Inspector Hopwood urged witnesses to come forward, saying, "Even the smallest piece of information could be important." The Met Police has been approached for further comment on the ongoing investigation.
Broader Context of Animal Welfare Concerns
This incident adds to a series of alarming animal cruelty cases recently highlighted in the media, including reports of dogs starved to death at a rehoming centre and "rotting remains" found on a farm. The RSPCA continues to investigate, keeping an open mind on how the injuries were sustained, but the evidence points towards intentional abuse. The charity stresses that such acts cause immense suffering, regardless of whether they occurred pre- or post-mortem.
As the hunt for the perpetrator intensifies, local residents and animal welfare advocates are left horrified by the brutality of the crime. The case underscores ongoing challenges in combating animal cruelty and the critical role of public cooperation in bringing offenders to justice.
