US police believe DNA found on a cat’s claws could help them track down a serial animal killer.
A manhunt has been launched after at least 12 cats were mutilated and killed in Washington this year.
Many of the cats have been cut open and had their spines removed before being left in public places, including parks, front lawns and in one case the grounds of a church.
Detectives believe Olly, a fluffy white cat found dead at the beginning of August, could hold the key to identifying the killer.
DNA samples from underneath the cat’s claws have been collected and sent to a crime laboratory to test for possible DNA.
Meanwhile, a $30,000 reward has been offered by Thurston County police for information concerning the string of feline murders.
The number of attacks has intensified with seven discovered in August alone, including two on one day.
Erika Johnson, the animal cruelty investigator leading the task force, told the New York Times the cats were “displayed for people to see”.
“Kind of like an arsonist goes back to the scene of fire. They want people to find these animals,” she said.
“It’s for shock value. It’s like a trophy.”
The sheriff’s office has also assigned a detective from the major crimes unit to the case.
"TCSO is extremely concerned that such a predator/s is lurking and committing such vile crimes within our community," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
"TCSO will expend every available resource to solve these serial crimes and bring the perpetrator to justice."
The case mirrors that of the Croydon cat killer, a rumoured mass animal killer believed to be behind hundreds of pet killings in south London in recent years.
