Mutilated cat discovered in field

A pet cat has been found decapitated and without its tail in a field.

Sooty, a 15-month-old black male, had been missing for a week when its remains were discovered in Faverdale, Darlington, County Durham, on Friday.

The RSPCA said it was unclear how the cat died and are probing the possibility that it was caught in a snare or deliberately killed.

Sooty's owners are said to be devastated by what has happened and the RSPCA is appealing for information.

RSPCA Insp Chris Guy said: "We are not entirely certain what the circumstances behind Sooty's death are.

'Incredibly distressed'

"It is possible he may have become trapped in a snare, and his head was removed when his body was freed, equally he could be the victim of an RTA, but that doesn't explain where his remains were found.

"Another horrific alternative is that somebody did this to Sooty deliberately, but that doesn't bear thinking about."

An examination revealed the injuries were clean cut and that there was very little blood found next to the carcass.

Insp Guy added: "I would urge anybody with any information to contact the RSPCA.

"Sooty's owners are incredibly distressed - if this was deliberate, we very much want to catch those responsible."