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Mutilated cat dumped on Wickford war memorial in 'Halloween prank' Mutilated cat dumped near gravestone at Wickford churchyard
(about 1 hour later)
The remains of a mutilated cat were found on a war memorial in what a vicar believes was a "Halloween prank". The remains of a mutilated cat were found near a war memorial in what has been described as "shocking" attack.
The body of the tortoiseshell cat was found in the grounds of St Catherine's Church in Southend Road, Wickford, Essex, on Saturday.The body of the tortoiseshell cat was found in the grounds of St Catherine's Church in Southend Road, Wickford, Essex, on Saturday.
The vicar, who found the dead cat, said the body of a mutilated animal is found at the churchyard every Halloween. It was discovered by the vicar and reported to the RSPCA. It is not yet known how the cat died.
The cat's owner Sandra Pillar said: "They said her tail had been hacked off and they couldn't find her head."The cat's owner Sandra Pillar said: "They said her tail had been hacked off and they couldn't find her head."
Ms Pillar said her five-year-old pet Missy had gone out as usual on Friday but had not returned.Ms Pillar said her five-year-old pet Missy had gone out as usual on Friday but had not returned.
She said she then heard how a body of a cat had been found in the churchyard.She said she then heard how a body of a cat had been found in the churchyard.
'Heartbreaking''Heartbreaking'
Ms Pillar, who lives near the church, said the vicar told her that a "prank" involving a mutilated animal happens at the church around Halloween every year. Ms Pillar, who lives near the church, said: "It's just awful, I can't believe it. It's so scary.
She said: "It's just awful, I can't believe it. It's so scary.
"She was such a lovely little cat. She would go off into other gardens so everybody knew her, she was popular and she was so sweet.""She was such a lovely little cat. She would go off into other gardens so everybody knew her, she was popular and she was so sweet."
The RSPCA and police are investigating Missy's death.The RSPCA and police are investigating Missy's death.
Inspector Marie Hammerton added: "It's just heartbreaking. Not only does this awful incident involve the sad death and shocking mutilation of a beloved pet cat, but also the desecration of a war memorial."Inspector Marie Hammerton added: "It's just heartbreaking. Not only does this awful incident involve the sad death and shocking mutilation of a beloved pet cat, but also the desecration of a war memorial."
The RSPCA is appealing for anyone with information to come forward.The RSPCA is appealing for anyone with information to come forward.