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‘Mutilated’ cat in Winchmore Hill is fourth to have tail removed as RSPCA raises alarm

The animal rescue charity says there are “suspicious circumstances” surrounding the cat’s death

The wound found on the dead cat (left) and (right) an X-ray of the body (credit RSPCA)

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a “severely mutilated” cat’s body was found in a Winchmore Hill garden.

The feline had seemingly experienced severe injuries including a large wound to her abdomen and broken neck when she was discovered by a local resident in the garden of a property in Farm Road, on Wednesday, 26th March.

The tabby-coloured cat’s tail had also been removed and some of her internal organs were lying close by to the body.

The RSCPA was contacted and the charity’s animal rescue officer Ellie Barnes-Wilson has been trying to establish what happened. While wildlife predation is a possibility, the charity is not ruling out a more sinister explanation given the “suspicious circumstances”.

The veterinary practice where the 17-year-old cat was taken to has reported the incident as the fourth they have dealt with recently where a cat with a tail removed has been brought in, according to the RSPCA.

The Dispatch has attempted to reach out to vets in the local area today (Friday 11th) but has yet to find out any further information.

Ellie said: “This poor cat had already died when the homeowner found her and her body was severely mutilated.

“She was taken to a local vets and as she was chipped her owner was found and is obviously very distraught. She was an older well-loved cat and while it may well be that she has fallen victim to predatory wildlife, the circumstances are suspicious so we are keeping an open mind and if anyone has any information we would ask them to contact the RSPCA.”

If anyone has any information they are asked to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 and refer to incident number 01478278.


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