A SPATE of sadistic cat slayings in Cinderford may be a brutal initiation rite by a gang of teenage thugs, say police.

To date the police have been baffled by a trail of dead cats around the town, bearing horrific mutilations, including beheadings, limbs removed, gunshot wounds and even an attempt to cut out a heart.

Gloucestershire Police’s Forest Inspector Steve Chester said: “We are extremely concerned by the seriousness of the ongoing cat issue.

“Cat owners are understandably distressed by the bizarre situation over the way these pets have been killed, we are following a number of lines of enquiry as part of our investigation to establish the perpetrators for these cruel offences.

“One lead we are following is that the killings are part of an initiation test for local teenagers. I urge anybody with any information to contact us.”

He explained that two dead cats were recovered in Cinderford High Street on Friday, March 11.

One of then had its front legs removed and an attempt was made to take the heart away from its body. The attempt failed.

Nick Horniman at Pets Barn Vets in Cinderford, said: “In my 25 years experience as a vet I have never come across anything like this.”