Pet detectives from South Norwood have emerged as key investigators in trying to track down the Croydon Cat Killer.
Boudicca Rising and Tony Jenkins initially formed the South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL) to re-home animals but became entrenched in the cat killer investigation when four cats were mutilated last September — since then it is believed more than 50 animals have fallen victim to the killer.
The couple now want to move away from the ‘Croydon Cat Killer’ moniker, instead referring to the ‘M25 Cat Killer’ on their Facebook page as they believe the same killer has struck across a much wider area.
Ms Rising said: “There have been incidents up in Luton, all the way down in Brighton — the killer is not confined to south London.”
Despite the widespread nature of the murders Ms Rising is adamant there are no copycat killers.
She said: “We are very, very sure it’s just one person. I’m just so angry on so many levels.
“There was a Persian called Bertie recently, who enjoyed such a lovely life and he’s been taken, killed and placed back in the garden for the owners to find.
“These people feel invaded, robbed of their cats and robbed of their happy memories, it’s disgusting.”
Having dedicated a lot of time and effort into the investigation, the couple will stop at nothing to bring this cat killer to justice.
Ms Rising said: “We talked to people and heard more and more stories about cats being found murdered, it got bigger and bigger and now it’s become all-consuming.
“We are not going to give up, he will be caught.”
Formed in 2014, SNARL mainly leaflets to collate information in affected areas and hands victim’s bodies over to vets who perform post-mortems which are then passed on to the police or RSPCA.
The modus operandi of the killer has seen cats decapitated, dismembered and mutilated but often with the killer leaving little to no blood on the bodies of his victims.
The case has garnered nationwide attention, with celebrities including Dermot O’Leary and Caroline Flack raising awareness by re-tweeting PETA’s £5,000 reward for anyone with information and Martin Clunes writing to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.
SHARE to help find the Croydon cat killer.
Keep animals at risk safely indoors. 🐱https://t.co/Glh9p4bmhj pic.twitter.com/rYvdGBMlGi— PETA UK (@PETAUK) January 29, 2016
A petition with more than 40,000 signatures has further put pressure on the authorities to take the case seriously.
SNARL advise that owners to not let their cat out at night and urge anyone with information that may be helpful to call Ms Rising on 07957 830 490 or Mr Jenkins on 07961 030 064.
