A decapitated cat found in Farnham has drawn the attention of amateur investigators from London, who believe the notorious ‘Croydon Cat Killer’ may have resurfaced in the area.

Last month, The Herald reported a mother’s horror after her cat was discovered decapitated and buried in a Farnham garden by a stranger.

The owner of the cat said: “We do not believe an animal was responsible for the cat as the head of the cat was returned perfectly preserved after six days and we have reported the matter to the Police.”

In response, leaflets have been posted around Upper Hale by the South London Animal Investigation Network (SLAIN), an organisation formed following an internal dispute with South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL).

SNARL was previously the main group investigating a string of animal mutilations in the Croydon area of London, believed to be the work of the so-called Croydon Cat Killer.

Despite the Metropolitan Police spending over £130,000 and 2,250 hours on the Croydon investigation, no arrest has ever been made. Activist groups remain convinced the killer is still active and continuing to target pets.

SLAIN co-founder Boudicca Rising commented: “A fox is unlikely to take a severed cat head back to its owner less than a week after it has killed it.

“It would take some mettle for someone or something to kill a cat and return the preserved head less than a week later to its owner. This is why we believe it is our man and there have been incidents in Farnham before.”

SLAIN normally patrols South London, but Boudicca indicated that if more incidents occur in Farnham, the group may expand its patrols to include the area.

They claim cat deaths have decreased in locations where they maintain a presence.

Meanwhile, the family affected by the incident is working to move on from the trauma.

A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: “We appreciate that this has caused significant distress for the cat’s owner, and we have carried out a number of enquiries, including house to house and checking for any CCTV footage in the area, to establish the circumstances of the cat’s death. These enquiries remain ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact us.”