POLICE investigating the M25 Cat Killer say they have solved the case and that the mutilations were not carried out by a human.

A group which until now was working closely with the police have called the conclusion surprising.

In the past month, the South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty charity (SNARL) have linked two Brighton cat mutilations to the killer.

But the Metropolitan Police, who have been investigating the killings for three years under the name Operation Takahe, say the 400 reported deaths were likely to be the result of wildlife and probably foxes.

Boudicca Rising, the founder of SNARL disagrees with the police’s findings

She said: “Our priority at the moment is the victims’ families.

“We consider that the evidence we have gathered over the last three years does indicate human involvement and there is expert opinion to back this up.

“As you can imagine, this announcement has come as a surprise and we will be taking advice on how to move forward.”

Police investigators say there is no evidence that any cats had been killed by humans, no witnesses, no identifiable patterns, and no forensic leads.

They also said that in three instances where CCTV was obtained, footage showed foxes carrying bodies or body parts of cats. All of the cases of cat mutilation will now be recorded as “no crime”.

Frontline Policing Commander Amanda Pearson said in a statement yesterday: “We’ve reached the conclusion that no further police investigations are required into any of the allegations relating to mutilated cats.”