Volunteers distraught as rescue cat found decapitated

Rescue cat Poppy, 13, was found decapitated on 21 March

Pet rescue workers are urging owners to be vigilant after one cat was decapitated and others were "deliberately killed in an awful way" in Greater Manchester.

Staff at Oldham Cat Rescue said they were "devastated" when their rescue cat was found without a head on 21 March.

Vets confirmed the injuries had not been caused by an animal.

Volunteers at another shelter, Kitty Rescue in Bury, said two of their cats had also been violently killed.

Greater Manchester Police is appealing for information over the Oldham cat's death.

"Officers have received a report regarding a deceased cat on Saxon Street, Middleton, on Thursday 21 March," the force said.

'Hemming them in'

Faye Kennerley, rescue manager at Oldham Cat Rescue, said a scan of the animal's microchip revealed it was their 13-year-old cat, Poppy.

Poppy had been at the rescue centre since 2019 and was last seen at 02:00 GMT, about eight hours before the body was found.

Vets confirmed the injuries around the neck were not caused by an animal as it was "too straight a cut that was definitely caused by a sharp object".

Ms Kennerley described Poppy as "a gentle soul", adding: "We were absolutely devastated, I don't know how we got through the day, we were just really numb.

"I don't know how we're soldiering on - we are just advising the public to be really, really vigilant."

She appealed for anyone who had CCTV footage locally to contact police and the RSPCA.

The rest of the charity's cats have been locked away to protect them.

Ms Kennerley said: "They like the freedom, so we're hemming them in - we have to look at building a brand new cat-protected area.

"We're angered, we're so upset, we want justice for Poppy.

"Is it their first target? Is it a vendetta against us? Is someone getting a buzz out of it? When you don't know the answers it makes it so much worse."

An RSPCA representative appealed for information, adding: "This is an unbelievably cruel and distressing incident and our thoughts are with everyone at the rescue centre who loved and cared for Poppy.

"If anyone has first-hand information about what happened we would urge them to call the RSPCA, in confidence, on 0300 123 8018."

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