More than 15 cats have been stabbed in the BN1 area of Brighton, a series of deaths that seemed to start suddenly in October last year.
The most recent stabbing happened in North Gardens outside the owners house. Experts have said that this type of injury cannot have been caused by canine or fox teeth as they do not go as deep. The injuries in all cases have been ruled as stab wounds, clearly from a knife, by vets and police.
Although police do not normally investigate ‘cat crime’ due to the number of repeat incidences and a feat that things may escalate, last year Sussex Police started ‘Operation Diverge’ in the hope of catching the cat killer.
PC Andy Chapman said last year:
“We are taking these incidents very seriously and we have already spoken at the North Laine local action team meeting. We understand the impact and emotional distress caused to the owners of much loved pets and we are determined to put an end to these attacks”
“However, we do need help from the public. I urge anyone with information or who believes that their pet has been the victim of a deliberate, malicious attack to report online or call 101 quoting Operation Diverge.”
However, the cat killer appears to be still on the prowl. The Argus recently reported that actor Terry Mynott, best known for the Mimic, has moved out of his home on Ditchling rise, following the stabbing and death of his beloved pet. He said that he no longer feels safe to live in the area.
Residents feel that more should be done to catch the killer and protect their pets. One of the things that people feel strongly about is the fact that cats are regarded as personal property, so any consequence for the killer is likely to result only in criminal damage.
In November last year, Seanin Mouland’s cat Samson was disemboweled by the attacker, who was left to walk home to his owner alive. This happened in many of the cases, with cats ending up dead on owners door steps. Mouland faced £5000 vet bills to treat the injuries, but with the support of cat lovers throughout the country, raised enough money for Samson’s life saving operation.
Mouland started an online petition to change the law, so that cat stabbings gained greater police attention. The petition has gained nearly 5000 signatures. If you wish to sign it the link is here.
Police ask anyone who has any information, or who believes that their pet has been the victim of a deliberate, malicious attack to report online or call 101 quoting Operation Diverge.
[…] If you would like to find out more about the cat killings, the Brighton Journal has been reporting on this case since November last year, links are available here and here. […]