Police are hunting a cat killer after the body of a mutilated pet was found in playing fields with its head and tail cut off.

Officers have launched an investigation after the grim discovery was made by a dog walker in the Harbour Play Field in Sutton Valence at around 10.20am.

A community support officer had suggested both the tail and the head had been removed from the cat’s body with a knife.

Sutton Valence Parish Council Clerk Janet Burnett took to social media to alert villagers of the horrifying news.

She said: “I have heard that it was done with a knife because the head and tail were missing.

“A dog walker found it and the police are currently investigating it. They turned up very quickly.”

A police spokesman added: “We were called at 10.26am on Thursday, March 22, following the discovery of a dead cat in a field near The Harbour, Sutton Valence which appeared to have been mutilated.

“Anyone with information should call 01622 604100 quoting reference 22-0288.”

The mutilation of the cat’s body suggests it could be the work of a sick individual rather than an attack involving a fox or any other animal.

In November 2017 a pet cat was found in St Benedict Road, Snodland, with its head missing.

Another cat, nine-year-old Tilly, was found with her tail cut off in Whitmore Street, Maidstone, just two weeks before.

Earlier this week, a headless animal was found in a Dover street by a dog-walker.

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.