A cat has been killed and mutilated an animal charity has said.

The feline was found in a residential street in Rochester on Saturday.

Volunteers from Animals Lost and Found in Kent were alerted to the sad find and went to the location to move the animal and check it for a chip.

The ginger and white cat was found near John Street and had parts of its body missing.

According to the charity's volunteers, the animal had also been placed on the ground in a strange position.

Natasha McPhee, director of the charity which is based in Gillingham, said: "We attended as soon as we could. It became quickly apparent the cat had been killed and mutilated by someone.

"The cat was found by a couple who lived nearby. The owner was found and informed about what had happened to their pet.

"The whole family is very upset and the police have been informed. This case has been filed under Operation Takahe with the police.

"Our thoughts are with the owners at this sad time. Please be vigilant in your area and report any strange goings on to the police on 101.

"The police will take this seriously as it is against the law to knowingly harm, injure or kill an animal under the Animal Welfare Act."

Its not the first time a mutilated cat has been found in the Towns.

In May last year three animals were found mutilated in less than a month.

Volunteers from the charity were called out to deal with the incidents in Wigmore and Gillingham.

In Wigmore, homeowners found a dead cat in their back garden, but when volunteers arrived to check the animal for a chip, it quickly became apparent the cat had not been involved in an accident.

Then a few days later, police called the volunteers out again as a mutilated cat was found in Featherby Road, Gillingham.

Before that, volunteers had been called out to reports a headless kitten had been found mutilated near Medway Maritime Hospital but later found it was a young fox cub which had been killed with a sharp blade.

Then in June, a cat was found mutilated in Chatham. When volunteers went out to check for a chip, it quickly apparent the cat did not die from an accident or natural causes.

And in September, foul play was suspected and the police alerted after a dead cat was found mutilated in the middle of a Woodlands Road, Gillingham.

To find out more about the charity, or donate to its cause, click here.

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