Hunt for potential 'cat killer' after spate of incidents

An investigation has been launched in the hunt for a potential ‘cat killer’.

The Scottish SPCA has appealed for information following a spate of “suspicious” incidents in the Campbeltown area of Argyll and Bute where one cat has died and several others have suffered similar injuries to the base of their tail or gone missing.

Enid McMurchy, an auxiliary inspector with the animal welfare charity, had to take her own cat to the vet with a broken tail.

The injury to Tali happened last October.

On January 20 this year, another cat from the Sound of Kintyre area was taken to the vet with the same injury.

Broken tail: Cats in the area have suffered similar injuries.

While rescue cat Tali survived, the other pet had to be put down.

Ms McMurchy said: “There were no other visible marks on either cat, apart from the tail being broken as if it had been violently pulled or trapped in something.

“Tali was extremely lucky as she recovered, but the other cat sadly had to be put to sleep due to the nerve damage it had suffered.”

The animal welfare worker said there have been “numerous cats with unexplained injuries in the local area”.

Some have completely disappeared, while others have only returned following appeal posts on social media.

Warning cat owners to be vigilant, Ms McMurchy added: “At present we don’t know if these incidents are linked but we are concerned about the similarity of the injuries the cats have sustained and the number of cats affected.”

If you have any information, call the Scottish SPCA’s confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.