Croydon cat killer

[dingit]

Advice please. The Croydon cat killer struck very close to my home last night, and I've decided to keep my girl in at night. She's 9 and doesn't go out very much now anyway.

Do I need a litter tray at night for her? I'd rather do without it, but I don't want upset her or make her ill holding it in, she's a very clean cat normally.

Thanks

[Alfieisnoisy]

I would put one somewhere just in case she is caught short. I don't blame you keep your cat in at night as there are some nasty folk about. I keep my three in after dark and I live in a quiet area.

[Alfieisnoisy]

Evil person whoever it is.

[pinkcan]

Don't you just have a litter tray always available for her?

I've not heard of the Croydon cat killer though. Is it in the media?

[cozietoesie]

Yes - you need a tray for her, especially as she's getting on a little and becoming a homebody.

[tippytap]

I've just heard about this. It's horrific! Who would do this?

[dingit]

Pink an, it's in the local and social media, not seen it nationally yet.

She's not had a litter tray since she was a kitten.

[SuburbanRhonda]

Just googled it

I hope the perpetrator is caught before anyone else loses their beloved pet.

[Vinorosso74]

The person doing this is sick. I believe a fox or two has been killed in the same manner along with all these poor cats. Really hope they catch them soon.
As for your cat, yes curfew her in the evening and get a tray for her. You may need to try a few places for it!

[cozietoesie]

Early training should kick in on the litter tray. Hopefully, she'll remember it for what it is.

[SquirmOfEels]

here's the BBC article from last month

[BirthdayBetty]

Goodness, what a sick bastard

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I found out on Friday that it's getting closer to me. Harry isn't allowed out at night and I've thought about keeping him in during the day, although I won't at the moment.

[MissBeaHaving]

This is horrific
I hope everyone in the area is keeping their cats in.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

The problem is it's such a wide area now. It's possible that there are copycat killers as well. I'm fed up with hearing about cruelty and sadness, I don't like the world these days

[cozietoesie]

Cruelty and sadness has long been with us, I'm afraid. I used to keep Twoago inside when we lived in an area which had had much 'catnapping' and that was some years back.

[gamerchick]

Give her a tray, why wouldn't you?

[gamerchick]

I think there's a facebook page set up in favour of the twat, so wouldn't be,surprised if there's copycats going on.

[Peaceandloveeveryone]

My cat is always kept in at night, for her safety and to give wildlife a chance.

[RedOnHerHedd]

So glad I have a house cat. Must be so worrying for you. Hope everyone's cats stay safe.

[dingit]

She went out at about 8 pm last night and was gone over an hour, quite unusual at this time of year. I was beside myself. She turned up with an evil glint in her eyes and dirty paws. And I missed call the midwife!

[Tollygunge]

This is just awful. I live miles away from Croydon but just the actual idea of it has really been upsetting me. Do you know if the police are being active in finding this person? My worry is this is practice for some bigger crime. Keep safe folks.

[SuburbanRhonda]

Yes, there a huge body of research showing a that people who abuse animals frequently go on to commit violent acts against humans.

I watched a heartbreaking episode of the Dog Rescuers where a man who abused his dog so badly it had to be put down, then went on to shake his baby son and got 11 years in prison.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Tollygunge, the police and RSPCA are working closely with an amazing rescue called SNARL (South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty). I do think there are copycats which is one of the dangers of making this public, but if it's not made public how can people keep their cats safe?

gamerchick, it's sad but not suprising that there's a FB page set up for the sick bastard. I doubt FB will do anything about it though as their standards seem to be a lot different to the majority of decent people.

[maybebabybee]

Can't bear that this is happening, it's horrendous. There's a lot of hatred towards cats for some reason as well so I have seen some people joking about it on FB etc as well...instantly defriended of course. Vile. Don't think people realise cruelty to animals is a major sign of a psychopath. Loads of serial killers started out this way.

My two girls don't go out at all and I'm glad.

[Catphrase]

The same thing happened in north London 15/20 years ago (pre everything on the internet days) Around 10 cats were killed in similar ways and left on / near the owners door in the same way.
It literally just stopped over night, the person was never caught.
I did ring the RSPCA to point out the link but they didn't seem interested in a link just "we are only investigating Croydon"
It made me quite cross that they didn't even pretend to listen as the similarities are alarming, and sometimes people do move across the river!!!!

In answer to your op, I'd keep her in with a litter tray. There's no point risking it, especially when she's happy to be in.