A cat found with its head missing may be linked to a spate of animal killings lasting two years.

Police were called at 8.30am today following the discovery of the mutilated cat in St Benedict Road, Snodland.

The body was found without its head and with no blood at the scene.

A local resident who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of their pets being targeted came across the remains of the cat while out walking their dog.

They said: "I felt shocked, sad and angry at how a person could do it.

"I hoped it hadn't suffered too long. I just thought I don't know what I would do if that had been my pet, it's just a horrible thing to happen."

Rebecca Ringrose, practice manager at Sandhole Vets in Malling Road, Snodland where police took the cat, said: "The cat was brought into us by the police under suspicious circumstances and we are looking after the cat here until the Metropolitan Police can collect it.

"It has injuries very similar to those reported to cats which have been killed around the country."

This latest tragic find comes less than two weeks after Tilly, a nine-year-old domestic shorthair, was found with her tail cut off in Whitmore Street, Maidstone.

More than 360 animals have been found dead throughout southern England, usually with limbs or body parts missing, since the Metropolitan Police began an investigation two years ago.

Tony Jenkins, who runs SNARL (South Norwood Animal Rescue), said the crimes had taken over his life.

"It has a huge effect on communities. Everyone is terrified to let their cats out," he said.

"We’re starting to put some pieces in the jigsaw. Forensics will be important not just to continue to prove that these attacks are done by a human but we might gather some DNA that might give us a lead on the investigation.

"It’s a much wider area than Croydon, that’s why we call him the UK animal killer because it’s foxes and rabbits as well and other animals, we’ve had a couple of swans beheaded.

"It’s widespread and very frequent."

No suspects have ever been arrested but Mr Jenkins says they are not ruling out the possibility of a network of killers.

He continued: "Obviously [they are] a psychopath, I’d say he’s probably got sociopathic tendencies because the way he displays them in order to cause maximum impact and horror. He puts them near schools. He’s a very dangerous person.

"It’s very unusual for two members of the public who run a small animal rescue to be so much a part of the investigation working daily with the police. I think it’s a unique situation."