A DEVASTATED animal lover whose cat was allegedly dismembered by the Croydon cat killer has made a desperate appeal for owners to keep their pets safe.

The mutilated body of three-year-old Pepper was discovered in Bracknell two weeks ago, which a leading animal charity believe is the brutal work of the M25 killer.

South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (Snarl) are investigating the incident and say they are liaising with the police trying to catch the person or persons responsible.

Pepper’s owner, Sam Johnson, 31, said her ‘sweet’, ‘timid and ‘gentle giant’ went missing on the morning of Wednesday, April 19 which caused concern as he never misses a meal.

Veterinary nurse Sam said: “He was found on a road quite close to me, dumped right next to a lamppost. The vets said it obviously wasn’t a fox as his head and leg were completely cut off.”

Since the shocking incident happened members of the public have debated fiercely on social media groups about whether or not the cat killer has returned to the town.

Two other dead cats were found two weeks ago and taken to Kynoch Vets in Crowthorne but it is yet to be confirmed if they were mutilated by a human, Snarl said.

After her cat was murdered, Sam said she hasn’t let her other moggies Crunchy, Peanut, Sprout and Wotsit out of the house out of fear. She has spent a lot of extra money on toys to try and keep them occupied around the house.

Now she wants to raise awareness for other cat owners to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police and Snarl.

She said she was called in for an interview with the police who are taking the incident “very seriously” and are stepping up patrols around the town.

As a veterinary nurse she said she is used to seeing upsetting things and the mistreatment of animals.

“But nothing like this,” she said. “I’ve seen animals hit by cars but nothing like this and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone what I have had to go through. That’s why I want to raise awareness to say that this is happening.”