AN animal rights activist thinks a notorious cat killer has struck in Sussex.

In the past two weeks there have been reports of three cat deaths in Saltdean, Portslade and Hastings, with the animals being dumped mercilessly on their owners’ doorsteps.

The shocking behaviour resembles the actions of the M25 Cat Killer, who is believed to be responsible for the deaths of about 250 cats across the country, according to South Norwood Animal Rescue Liberty (Snarl).

Last Monday, a woman, believed to be 97, found her pet tabby decapitated on her doorstep in Longridge Avenue, Saltdean.

The cat’s tail was also reported to be cut off.

That same day another was found in Portslade, again on the owner’s doorstep.

However, Snarl believes the cat had been dead since the Thursday before because of the condition of its body.

Last Saturday, a four-month-old kitten, Smidge, was found dead outside her home in Greenacres, Westfield, Hastings by owner Chelsea Ionadi.

Mrs Ionadi said: “We were out on Saturday bowling with the kids when I received a call from my neighbour to say they had found

Smidge dead by my front door and there was blood everywhere.

“More than anything my children are absolutely devastated, as are me and my husband.

“She was a massive part of the family and always followed us around everywhere.”

Boudicca Rising, co-

founder of Snarl, said the horrific discoveries were “definitely” down to the M25 Cat Killer.

She said: “These deaths were not the results of accidents or done by other animals – we can throw that theory in the bin now.

“Other animals, like foxes, cause tearing, not cuts.”

The M25 Cat Killer is said to have begun the

murder spree in 2014 and may have struck across London as well as Manchester and Birmingham.

Ms Rising said: “The journeys where he has killed are very doable.

“We believe it is one person working on their own.

“In order for there to be a copycat, they would need to be working together.

“What he does means you need to work with him.”

Ms Rising told The Argus she thinks the cat killer is responsible for the deaths of at least 15 cats across Sussex in the past two years, including one in Bexhill last month and another in Brighton about three months ago.

Snarl has a pathologist to check the bodies of dead cats when they believe the killer has struck and Ms Rising said the signs matched the cat killer’s mark.

She added that anyone whose cat has been killed should call her on 07957 830490 or Tony Jenkins on 07961 030064.

The M25 Cat Killer is described as a white man in his forties with short brown hair, dressed in dark clothing, and possibly has acne scarring to his face.

He may also be wearing a headlamp or carrying a torch.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Sussex Police is aware of the work of Operation Takahe and where there is an indication that there might be a link with an incident in the county, we will refer it to colleagues at Metropolitan Police, who liaise with Snarl.

“We are aware of social media posts from Snarl earlier this week to advise that a decapitated cat had recently been found in the Saltdean area and another in Portslade.

“No information could be found concerning claimed Sussex Police attendance at either location.”

Operation Takahe is an investigation into the cat deaths and there is a £10,000 reward for the capture of the person responsible.