The RSPCA is appealing for information after a cat’s head was discovered at a children’s playground in Homerton Grove, Hackney, London on Monday 24 April.
A staff member at Homerton Grove Adventure Playground made the grisly discovery as she was opening up the park for the afternoon.
The RSPCA believes this was a deliberate act – and have labelled the shocking incident a “uniquely disturbing situation”.
Michael Harrington, an RSPCA animal rescue officer, said: “This is a truly horrifying story. We were alerted to the discovery of a dismembered black and white cat head at a children’s playground on Monday last week (24 April). The investigation is ongoing, but first impressions appear to indicate that this was a deliberate act.
“The head was very carefully placed at the bottom of a children’s play apparatus and left in a way that it would be easily found. We have been informed that this particular piece of apparatus is one of the most used and popular things in the playground.
“This must have been a shocking discovery for the member of staff who stumbled upon it, but we are profoundly grateful that it was not found by a small child who could have been deeply traumatised.”
The RSPCA has been unable to obtain CCTV footage from the scene due to a lack of cameras, so they are appealing for anyone with information to contact their appeals line in confidence on 0300 123 8018.
The head was discovered near the main entrance on Wardle Street, E9 6BX when the playground opened in the afternoon on 24th April. The RSPCA believe the incident will have taken place between 18:00 on 23 April and 15:30 on 24 April.
“This is a completely unthinkable act and we very much hope someone will have seen or heard something that can help us with our investigation,” Michael continued. “There is a uniquely disturbing situation and we are keen to get to the bottom of what happened here.”
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/give.
