[imagesource: WallpaperAccess]

This article contains graphic details that may upset some readers…

On July 15, the Animal Welfare Society of SA (AWS) first issued a warning that there may be a cat ‘serial killer’ on the loose in Manenberg.

The killing of cats and kittens in the area has continued, and at last count, the death toll stood at 11.

On Friday, AWS issued a statement, confirming that “the killer struck again slicing and disembowelling another three adult cats from head to tail before flinging their mutilated carcasses into the yards of homes in Dwyka and Venster Streets.”

Images were circulated via WhatsApp and social media, painting a picture of “a seriously deranged individual or group of individuals (there are suspicions that these horrific incidents may be gang related) with an evil blood-lust”.

The statement goes on:

Over the past 10 days these revolting beings have mercilessly tortured and butchered 11 cats making this one of the largest animal killing sprees the Cape Metro has ever witnessed.

If anyone has any information they must please call us on 021 692 2626 or 082 601 1761 (after hours). You may remain anonymous.

In addition to the 11 cats, there were two other bodies found, “dumped on the pavement outside the local Police station as if to taunt the authorities”.

IOL spoke with AWS late last week, who confirmed that a suspect has been identified and the “net was fast closing in”:

“Since our initial appeal for information leading to the apprehension of the perpetrator we have put together a substantial dossier of anecdotal evidence that strongly suggests that the killer has struck before.

“We have reason to believe that this evil individual – whose signature is to slice the cats in two before throwing them into residents’ yards – is responsible for the horrific slaughter of at least seven other cats in Dwyka Street, Manenberg,” a statement read.

It’s believed that one resident whose cat was killed may be aware of the identity of the cat killer, but she is too afraid to come forward due to fear of retribution.

AWS said that if necessary, it would “subpoena her to reveal the identity of the person”:

“By choosing to do nothing they are allowing evil to triumph and buying this serial killer time to continue with his sadistic killing spree with impunity.

…Whoever this individual is represents a real danger to society and must be stopped before his actions escalate and further lives are lost,” AWS said.

The organisation has also set up a reward for catching the perpetrator of these horrific acts.

You can donate via this PayFast link, or via a direct deposit into the AWS account – details here.

[sources:aws&iol]