Three animals have been mutilated in the Towns in less than a month.

Volunteers from Animals Lost and Found in Kent have been 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 from the animal welfare organisation arrived to check the animal for a chip, it quickly became apparent the cat had not been involved in an accident.

It happened on Wednesday, May 2

Natasha McPhee, from the charity said: “There had been foul play involving a sharp instrument with the cat.

“The police have been called, a number of statements have been obtained and this case has been filed under Operation Takahe.”

It was originally set up in December 2015 by the Metropolitan Police working on the Croydon cat killer investigation but has since expanded as the killings became more widespread.

On Monday, police called the volunteers out again as a mutilated cat was found in Featherby Road, Gillingham.

Miss McPhee said: “The police brought the cat to HQ so we could check for a chip and help locate an owner.

“The cat had been cut in places with a sharp instrument. This too has been filed under Operation Takahe and the owner has been located.”

The volunteers were also called out on April 22 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.

Miss McPhee added: “We have worked with the police with all three. It’s awful.”

Miss McPhee issued a warning to cat owners, saying: “Please be vigilant in these areas, keep your animals as safe and secure as you can and call 101 if you have found a mutilated animal in the area and please report any strange goings on.”

The chief suspect in Operation Takahe is thought to have been responsible for killing up to 400 animals, including squirrels, rabbits and foxes, across the south east.

Police said inquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information about the incidents can call 01634 792209 quoting 07-0954 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.