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A FIVE-MONTH-OLD kitten found dead in Archway was deliberately killed, an animal charity believes.

The death has sparked fears that the so-called “Croydon cat killer” is now targeting animals in north London.

Posters from South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (Snarl) have been put up in Archway and posted through doors, warning owners to keep their pets inside.

Kitten Daffy was found dead in the area last Wednesday. Snarl is linking the death to up to 50 killings around London by someone they are now dubbing the “M25 animal killer”.

Boudicca Rising, who works at Snarl, told the Tribune: “We have changed this name because we don’t want people outside of Croydon to get the impression their cats are safe.”

She said Daffy’s death bore all the hallmarks of the animal killer, who mutilates cats, foxes and rabbits using a knife.

Animal groups and police think some of the killings are linked because the animals were killed in similar “ritualistic” ways – such as being beheaded, gutted or having their tail chopped off, or having their bodies placed in the same position.

Ms Rising said cat owners should keep their pets inside at night and only let them out when supervised.

Daffy’s owners, who did not wish to be identified, are said to be “distraught”.

The RSPCA and Snarl have been paying for post-mortem tests on dead animals to build up information in the hope of eventually finding the killer.

Ms Rising said there were now 20 confirmed cases, with a possible 18 more.

Police investigating the cat deaths say the number of attacks they believe are linked to the same killer are in “single figures”.

Snarl appealed to the public: “If you see anyone behaving suspiciously with a cat or coaxing it with food, please call 999 (this advice comes directly from the police) immediately and report it. Likewise, if you see anyone with a knife or bladed weapon.

“If you see any domestic or wild animals who have been injured or found dead with slashed neck or decapitation, slashed belly, leg or tail removed or any other injury which looks as if it is a knife wound, please contact us on 07961030064 or 07957830490.”