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Cat killer who dumped dismembered tabby outside derelict building hunted by police

Ross McGuinness
·2-min read
Sussex Police have issued an image of a man they would like to speak to urgently about the cat killing in Lancing. See SWNS story SWNNcat; Police are hunting a person who killed an eight-month-old cat who was found with his head and tail cut off in a driveway. The mutilated body of a grey short-haired tabby was found in front of a derelict building in a village in West Sussex, at around 8.30am, on Tuesday, November 2. Vets at first thought the cat was victim to a savage animal attack but on further examination determined the body parts had been removed by a human.
Sussex Police have issued an image of a man they would like to speak to after the body of a cat was found in the village of Lancing. (SWNS)

Police have released an image of a man they want to talk to after the body of a cat was found with its head and tail removed.

The eight-month-old cat was discovered on a driveway in the seaside village of Lancing in West Sussex at around 8.30am on 2 November.

Read more: Double murder probe after man and woman found dead in home

The mutilated body of the grey, short-haired tabby was found by a local resident in front of a derelict building in the village.

Sussex Police have issued an image of a man they would like to speak to urgently about the discovery.

He is described by police as a white man in his late thirties, with a broad build and a receding hairline.

He was wearing a grey T-shirt with a light-coloured jumper over his shoulder, blue jeans and blue trainers.

His image was captured on CCTV and police say he may have information that could help with the investigation.

Inspector Chris Smith, from Worthing Police Station, said: “We understand the effect disturbing incidents such as these have not only on other pet owners, but on the wider community.

"Thankfully these reports are extremely rare and our investigations indicate this is an isolated incident.

“Please be assured that we are conducting a full and thorough enquiry and our officers would like to speak to the man pictured as a matter of urgency."

Kitesurfers make the most of the strong wind and choppy waves on Lancing Beach, Sussex, as they enjoy kitesurfing on Monday 27 July.
The cat's body was found in the seaside village of Lancing, West Sussex. (PA)

In July, a man dubbed the “Brighton cat killer” was jailed for five years and three months for killing nine cats and injuring seven others.

Steve Bouquet, 54, a former Royal Navy gunner, was convicted of 16 counts of criminal damage in relation to cats. He had attacked the animals during a spree between October 2018 and May 2019.

Read more: Man loses legs after being bitten by pet dog that killed brother-in-law

In September 2018, the Metropolitan Police said it had solved the mystery of the so-called “Croydon cat killer”, saying that dozens of mutilated cats were most likely the victims of scavenging foxes after being struck by cars.

Watch: 'Brighton cat killer' Steve Bouquet jailed for five years and three months