‘Beloved’ black cat found stabbed to death on owner’s doorstep in Brighton

A black cat was found stabbed to death outside its owner’s house in North Gardens, Brighton at 7.30pm on Monday (February 4).
Alan's owner is devastated over his killingAlan's owner is devastated over his killing
Alan's owner is devastated over his killing

The attack is the latest in a serious of cat slashings in the BN1 area of Brighton, which started last October.

Owner Kath Mattock let her two-year-old cat, Alan, out at 7pm.

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It was raining so she only expected him to be out for five minutes.

Alan died after being stabbed in SussexAlan died after being stabbed in Sussex
Alan died after being stabbed in Sussex

But half an hour later he was dead.

She said: “He was still warm when I picked him up and took him back inside. I was still desperately hoping he was alive, it was dark so I couldn’t see, so much blood on my hands.”

In great distress, Ms Mattock drove Alan to New Priory Vets, who confirmed after a postmortem that Alan had ‘categorically’ died from a knife wound.

Ms Mattock said: “This is insane, something needs to be done about this, this level of violence who knows where it will lead?

Alan died after being stabbed in BrightonAlan died after being stabbed in Brighton
Alan died after being stabbed in Brighton
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“All the cat owners in my street are living in fear since the attacks started in October. I’ve been keeping Alan in at night and locking the cat-flap.

“What can you do – they are outdoor cats, that’s their life, their patch. You can’t watch them all the time, some of these attacks are happening in daylight.”

Neighbour Bryony October says she feels unsafe in her own house after the attack.

She said: “To think that someone’s going around doing this, how much further a step is it for someone to stab a human?

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“We know of two other cats in the adjacent street in Crown Gardens that have been stabbed in the back of the neck.

“When are the police going to take this seriously?”

Sussex Police launched an investigation ‘Operation Diverge’ after the first incidents of pet stabbings were reported in October, all within a mile of Ditchling Rise.

PC Andy Chapman told a national paper at the time: “We are taking these incidents very seriously and we have already spoken at the North Laine local action team meeting. We understand the impact and emotional distress caused to the owners of much loved pets and we are determined to put an end to these attacks.”

Tony Jenkins, of animal charity South Norwood Animal Rescue Liberty (SNARL) said: “Let’s be clear, this is not natural and predatory killing, it’s not the work of foxes. These cats in Brighton are being sliced or cut, the wounds are very precise.

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“We are working with criminal experts and are about to join up with a geographical profiler, who will help us map data of the attacks.

“Keep your pets indoors as much as possible and especially at night, until we can catch this cat killer.”

Police are urging people to come forward with information.

If your pet has been a victim of a deliberate or malicious attack, you can report the incident online or call 101 quoting Operation Diverge.