Pet owners in Kent are afraid a ‘phantom cat shaver‘ is on the prowl after a series of strange shearings.
Worried residents are now keeping their beloved cats indoors in case they start going missing.
Victoria Griffiths, 29, from Walderslade, was horrified when her tabby came back from his adventures with a large bald patch.
The ten-year-old cat had a large, strangely-shaped patch of fur cut away, leaving his bare skin exposed.
Ms Griffiths said: ‘I was so angry that some nasty human had decided to shave my cat. It was very distressing.’
Her cat, George, is a rescue, suggesting he is already anxious around individuals.
Ms Griffiths included: ‘When he came back in he wouldn’t let me near him. He was frightened.
‘I was worried they might have done something else to him. Now he is even more skittish towards people, but his fur is starting to grow back.’
A 50-year-old lady from Chatham likewise said her cat Dennis came home with a location around his back legs entirely shaved.
He utilized to stroll the location easily, however his owner is now too terrified to let him out.
She fears the shaving was a method of marking her five-year-old animal to be taken.
She said: ‘I will be keeping him in just in case it’s part of a strategy to take cats, as he is white and has actually 2 various coloured eyes, so he is rather uncommon.
‘I am so angry and deeply shocked that people can do this kind of thing to a cat or any animal.
‘I couldn’t think that’s what had actually occurred initially, today I have actually found out about other individuals who have had the exact same experience.
‘It really makes me wonder what kind of world my grandchildren will have to live in.’
Shaving events like this are more typical than the owners initially understood, with reports of comparable events around Medway right before Christmas.
In January, individuals in Coventry suffered a cat electric shaver on the loose after their animals returned home missing out on completely square portions of fur.
Owners are advised to keep a keep an eye out and report suspicious activity.
A representative from the Medway-based charity Animal Lost and Found said: ‘We are definitely keeping an eye on the cases that are appearing across Kent.
‘We are urging people to be vigilant if you see someone acting suspiciously around animals and to log it with the RSPCA.’
Call the RSPCA’s nationwide call centre line on 0300 1234 999.
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