The Island’s RSPCA branch chairman is urging pet owners not to panic after a giant fox was caught and killed in Maidstone.

Angela Walder says she has received phone calls from worried cat lovers after the 26.5lb animal – twice the normal size – was trapped and killed humanely by a vet.

Keith Talbot destroyed the fox after it was seen around his parents’ house days after the remains of their 19-year-old tabby cat were found in the garden.

Ms Walder (pictured below) said Islanders have become concerned about letting their pets outside in case they get hurt or worse.

But she wants people to know it is unusual for a fox to harm a cat.

She said: “There isn’t any danger to a fit and healthy cat.

“I’m not saying if one is old and can’t move about that a fox wouldn’t take it but a perfectly healthy cat – there’s no way.

“We get a lot of foxes here and usually they see the cats and run.”