UK's first animal forensics lab used to hunt for cat serial killer
Attacker is believed to have killed and mutilated around 250 cats
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Your support makes all the difference.Forensic scientists are to help track down a serial cat murderer believed to be behind the deaths of around 250 animals.
ArroGen Veterinary Forensics is Britain’s first forensic lab dedicated to researching crimes against animals, in order to help police and the RSPCA prosecute perpetrators.
The lab will re-examine the case of the “Croydon cat killer” who began mutilating and dismembering felines in south London in 2014, The Times reported.
The culprit has been targeting cats within the M25, but the attacks have spread to other parts of the UK, including Birmingham and Manchester.
The bodies of some of the cats have been kept in freezers during the hunt for the attacker, who has so far eluded capture.
The team will use DNA to try and hunt down the cat killer, as well as determine exactly how many cats have been killed by the culprit, excluding those which may have been attacked by wild animals.
The lab is the result of a partnership between the University of Surrey’s Veterinary School and Oxfordshire-based ArroGen Forensics.
Dr Alexander Stoll, lead forensic veterinary pathologist, told The Times the lab will be a “one-stop shop” for crimes involving animals.
“It is becoming well documented that animal cruelty can be used as a component part of domestic violence and there is evidence to indicate that people who harm animals are more likely to abuse humans,” he said.
“We want to work to address the progression of animal to human criminal behaviour.”
The charity SNARL, South Norwood Animal Rescue & Liberty, is helping police and the RSPCA investigate the cat killer, who is also thought to have killed foxes and rabbits.
The group released a description of the man believed to be behind the spate of killings.
The suspect is described as a white man in his 40s of average build who is between 5ft8 and 5ft11. He is thought to have possible acne scarring to his face and might be dressed in dark clothes.
The description also says he might be wearing a headlamp or carrying a torch.
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