AN animal rights group and local residents are offering a combined total of £2750 to catch Cinderford’s 'serial cat killer'.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is offering a reward of up to £2,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the attacks on cats in Cinderford.

Five cats have been found since February with an array of injuries: one was kicked so hard his lungs burst, a tabby was found decapitated and another was found dead with a leg hacked off.

Other cats are thought to have been shot. The attacks occurred between 12 February and 11 March.

Elisa Allen, PETA associate director, said: "It’s imperative that any community faced with sadistic and violent acts like this take measures to find the culprits and bring them to justice.

"Animal abusers are a danger to everyone: they take their issues out on whoever is available to them – human or non-human – and must be caught before they act again."

PETA urges everyone always to keep their cats indoors and to report any suspected cases of cruelty to animals to authorities. It is vital that crimes against animals be taken seriously – for the safety of the entire community. Alan Bowkett, of Bowkett General Stores, is offering £300 raised by Cinderford residents to catch the culprit and Marion Jayne, owner of the Fern Ticket pub, is also offering £200.

A private individual who wishes not to be named has also offered a £250 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

Mental-health professionals and top law-enforcement officials consider animal abuse to be a red flag indicating a deep mental disturbance.

Serial rapists and murderers routinely have histories of cruelty to animals.

Just a few famous examples include Mary Bell, Robert Thompson, Jon Venables, Ian Huntley, Thomas Hamilton (the Dunblane massacre), Fred West, Dennis Nilsen, Ian Brady and Raoul Moat.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Gloucestershire Police on 101. For more information about helping animals, please visit PETA.org.uk.