Oldham cat found 'decapitated' in depraved act of cruelty

Poppy, a 13-year-old tabby cat, was discovered dead on Thursday (March 21) within "very close proximity" of the cat rescue centre on Saxon Street in Middleton.

The team made the sickening discovery that Poppy had been beheaded in a "horrific act of animal cruelty", which was confirmed by a team of vets.

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Volunteers say they are "traumatised" by the incident and they remain sickened that her severed head is yet to be found.

Speaking to The Oldham Times, Davina Hanes, manager of Oldham Cat Rescue, said in all their 26 years, they have never recorded an incident like this.

Ms Hanes said: "It feels like you've been kicked in the gut. It's just awful.

"What I find heartbreaking is, out of all the cats, Poppy is the kind of cat where she wouldn't have needed goading. She loved everybody."

Poppy's body was examined by two vets at the rescue centre who confirmed her injuries were deliberate.

Rescue staff described Poppy as 'the sweetest' (Image: Oldham Cat Rescue)

Ms Hanes said the decapitation was "too clean a break" to be any other type of pull injury or animal attack.

She continued: "Whether they've used a machete, I have no idea.

"But they've obviously taken her head - almost as if they have taken it like a trophy.

"Her head has got to be somewhere... It's sickening."

While the grounds of the cat rescue centre are covered by CCTV, Ms Hanes said the perpetrator "did a good job" of avoiding detection from the cameras.

The centre estimates Poppy was murdered sometime between 2am and 10am on Thursday morning, yet despite the harrowing nature of the incident, the rescue centre said police response has been alarmingly "slow".

They said officers are yet to interview staff or come to the scene.

Ms Hanes continued: "What concerns me with this slow response is this perpetrator - who's to say they're going to stop with a cat? It leads on to more despicable behaviours. 

"It's just a kick in the stomach, to not give her that respect that she deserved.

"Any evidence that was there at that site where she was found, that would have been washed away by now."

The team is now in the early stages of building momentum for a new legislation in her memory, Poppy's Law.

They hope this could change how cats are seen in law - and bring perpetrators of cat abuse and murder to justice.

Ms Hanes explained: "I'm only vague on the legislation as we've only just been going through it but from what I understand, a cat is not given the same rights.

"If you knock a cat over, you're not liable to report that in the same way as you would a dog.

"And the police response - a (dead) cat is perceived as criminal damage when in actual fact, it's still decapitation. It's murder.

"So I think there needs to be more stringent legislation in terms of the outcomes when something bad happens to cats.

"At the end of the day, that's a life and she needs to be respectfully treated and I don't think cats are given that regard at all."

The 52-year-old from Rochdale, who also works full time in a school in between managing the rescue centre for the cats, said: "I've also learnt that there have been at least three identical incidents recently of cat beheadings - I think in Prestwich and Heywood - and someone who is recording statistics on it told me that there has been an increase in these types of incidents within the North West.

"Being a registered charity, I feel I've got an obligation to put this story out there, as grim as it is, I've got a duty of care for all the cats within the neighbourhood."

The news also comes after a family in Chadderton said their two cats died by antifreeze poisoning, just weeks apart last month.

The rescue centre is building a campaign for Poppy's Law (Image: Oldham Cat Rescue)

To take extra precaution, the cat rescue centre is also locking its cats away at night "which they're not used to" and is looking at building a 'catio' on the premises where they could be safe at night.

The catio fund, which has already raised more than £3,200 on JustGiving, will be called Poppy's Palace in her memory.

Ms Hanes continued: "She was just an angel. Out of all the residents, she was the one who just anchored onto people. She loved people.

"She was our precious girl and had been a big part of our rescue family since 2019.

"Poppy was the sweetest, most gentle and loving of creatures and she fit into residency life here straight away.

"Everyone doted upon her, volunteers and visitors alike.

"Poppy was so innocently sweet, we'd all become her family over the years.

"It angers, sickens and breaks out hearts that Poppy was beheaded and her head is still missing.

"No animal should have to endure what our sweet Poppy was subject to.

"Understandably, all our volunteers are heartbroken beyond belief.

"We are traumatised, angry and shocked by such a horrific act of animal cruelty."

Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment.

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