POLICE are appealing for information after a decapitated cat was found on the communal lawn of sheltered accommodation in Cinderford on Monday.

A worker at the home in Rowandean reported the discovery of the tabby to police just after 9am on on March 7.

It is believed the cat’s head was cut off with a sharp knife before its body was taken to the garden and dumped on the lawn some time overnight. Its head has not been discovered.

Police recovered the body and after an inspection by a local vet it has been returned to its owner, a local resident, to be buried.

PCSO Pete Timmins, a Rural and Environmental Crime Liaison Officer for the Constabulary, said: "This wasn’t a wound inflicted by another animal or anything like that - this was a deliberate act of cold blooded animal cruelty.

"I’m in contact with the RSPCA and will be making further inquiries to find out who did this.

"Someone in the local community must know something. If you do, you must come forward."

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote incident 66 of 7 March.