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Possible link between cat killings under investigation
Northamptonshire Police confirmed it has liaised with Metropolitan Police but at the stage the cases remain Northamptonshire investigations.
Cats bore similar wounds to victims of serial animal killer 

Two cats that were recently killed and dismembered in Northamptonshire bore similar wounds to those seen on victims of a serial animal killer who has so far eluded capture.

In August, a pet cat was mutilated and left on its owner’s doorstep in a bag, where it was discovered by the family’s 14-year-old daughter. The incident occurred just days after their other cat was found in the Kingsley area of Northampton, having been deliberately set on fire.

This month, another pet cat was killed and left outside its owners home, also in Northampton. The 15-year-old cat’s dismembered body was found in a carrier bag on the path outside the front door.

A spokesperson from South Norwood Animal Rescue Liberty (SNARL) said: ‘There are correspondences between the wounds seen on the two Northampton cats and the wounds seen on victims of the UK animal killer’.

A spate of killings in south London prompted the nickname ‘Croydon cat killer’, however SNARL has urged people to stop using this name as similar attacks have occurred in Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton and the Isle of Wight. Tony Jenkins, head of SNARL, told the Guardian that 250 cats have been killed in similar circumstances since October 2015.

Northamptonshire Police confirmed it has liaised with Metropolitan Police but at the stage the cases remain Northamptonshire investigations.

SNARL is investigating the Northamptonshire cases alongside cases elsewhere in the UK. The SNARL spokesperson added: ‘There are however some circumstances which could mean these are standalone offences, so equally we are keeping an open mind about them.’

Post-mortems are currently being carried out on the two cats.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.