The RSPCA is appealing for information after a mutilated cat’s body was found in a North London park.
The one-year-old male black cat appeared partially decomposed, burned and bizarrely covered in sand when his body was discovered centrally in the park on Crouch Road in Neasden on 4 June at 11.10am by a member of the public.
The RSPCA were contacted and the charity’s Animal Rescue Officer Ellie Barnes is trying to establish what happened.
ARO Ellie said: “This is a really awful thing for someone to discover. The poor young cat had been left in the middle of the park near a children’s play area in a very sad way.
“While large wildlife predation is a possibility, we will not rule out a more sinister explanation as his injuries and the circumstances are not consistent with a wildlife attack. He was partly decomposed, so it’s not clear when he died, but he does appear to have been burned and previously been somewhere with sand. We are treating this as potentially suspicious and believe the body may have been put there due to the residue left and condition.
“We urge anyone in the park on 4 June who saw anything unusual to get in touch. The cat was found in an area where children play, in broad daylight.
“A decomposed fox cub was also found nearby, which may or may not be related.
“The cat was microchipped and we have been trying to contact the owners. He was only a year old, so it will be a big shock to them.
“We would urge anyone with information to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 and refer to incident number 01538569.”
