A cat who was decapitated and dumped in a pond is the latest victim of a notorious feline killer, animal welfare campaigners say.

A cat’s decapitated head was discovered in a garden pond in Barkingside on Sunday, prompting speculation it is linked to a series of horrific cat killings.

South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL) attended the scene on Sunday morning, shortly after discovering another decapitated head in Croydon.

The charity believes both cats were killed by the same person, who has allegedly killed, dismembered and decapitated more than 200 cats.

Boudicca Rising, founder of the charity, says she believes the cats were attacked deliberately by the same person, rather than being maimed by a fox or a predator.

She said: “There are not many reasons that a cat’s head would be found in a pond.

“We couldn’t find the body of either cat and the one in the pond had been there a couple of days.

“Both of the cuts along the neck were in exactly the same place.”

The suspect was initially dubbed the “Croydon cat killer” due to a spate of incidents in that area.

But cases have been found across London and as far afield as Manchester and St Albans.

The death of the moggy is being investigated by Operation Tahake, an operation set up by the Metropolitan Police to investigate the high number of similar cases.

Animal rights group PETA is offering a £5,000 reward for information which leads to the suspect’s capture.

Worried owners should keep their pets inside at night, when the majority of attacks have occurred, advises Boudicca.

She said: “It’s best practice to do so.

“Everyone can help by being vigilant. If you see someone acting strangely or inappropriately towards a cat, ring 101.

“If you see someone being violent or abusing a cat, ring 999.

“Good sensible people are often afraid to call the police if they don’t think its an emergency.

“But it can really help us; if a couple of people ring up with the same description then we have a lead.”

A spokesman for the Met Police: “Police will assess the latest report to see if it is linked to the cases already established as part of the ongoing investigation led by police in Croydon.

“Anyone with information is asked to call the Met police on 101.”

SNARL can be contacted on 07961 030 064 or by visiting its website.