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Mutilated cat dumped near gravestone at Wickford churchyard | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
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. |
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: "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. |