POLICE STATEMENT ON CAT KILLINGS / MARTIN CLUNES CALLS FOR ACTION
Police in Croydon are investigating a number of incidents relating to cat deaths in the local area.
A Scotland Yard spokesman told News From Crystal Palace: “The number of incidents linked to the investigation at this stage is in single figures. “Officers are also aware of a similar allegation in Surrey and are liaising with the relevant county force regarding this.
“We are currently awaiting the results of tests regarding the cause of death that will be carried out by a specialist vet appointed by the RSPCA. “These are likely to be completed in around a month (mid-March).
“Officers from the local CID continue to work in partnership with the RSPCA and liaise with the local community to establish any further lines of enquiry. “Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.”
MARTIN CLUNES CALLS FOR ACTION
Actor Martin Clunes has written to Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe on behalf of PETA -People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – about the Croydon cat killings.
The star of Doc Martin, Men Behaving Badly, and Shakespeare in Love is asking The Met to take every measure necessary to find the killer, including re-examining all available CCTV footage.
“As someone who shares my home with several four-legged companions, I read with horror that some of the cats had been decapitated or dismembered – this is the stuff of nightmares”, writes Clunes, who went to school in Croydon.
“The local community is understandably distraught and frightened. “No one feels safe while this sick individual is on the loose.”
Clunes goes on to note that mental-health professionals and top law-enforcement officials consider animal abuse to be a red flag indicating a deep mental disturbance.
“Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals don’t stop there – many of them move on to their fellow humans”, writes Clunes. “That is a scary thought indeed.”
Martin Clunes’ letter to Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe reads:
Like countless others, I am shocked that at least 35 cats are thought to have been massacred around the borough of Croydon. As someone who knows the area well and shares a home with many four-legged companions, I read with horror that some of the cats had been decapitated and dismembered – this is the stuff of nightmares. The local community is understandably distraught and frightened. No one feels safe while this sick individual is on the loose. As you likely know, mental-health professionals and top law-enforcement officials consider animal abuse to be a red flag. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation use reports of animal abuse to analyse the threat potential of suspected and known criminals. Experts agree that it is the severity of the behaviour – not the species of the victim – that matters. Acts of cruelty to animals are not mere indications of a minor personality flaw – they are symptomatic of a deep mental disturbance. Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals don’t stop there – many of them move on to their fellow humans. That is a scary thought indeed. Because repeat crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers and given the malicious nature of these crimes, I implore you to take every measure necessary, including re-examining all available CCTV footage, to apprehend this dangerous criminal. The safety of the entire community depends on it. Thanks for your consideration. Sincerely, Martin Clunes, on behalf of PETA.
PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way” – has offered a £5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the Met Police on 101
A Scotland Yard spokesman told News From Crystal Palace: “We can confirm we have received the correspondence and will respond in due course.”
