Man Arrested After Shocking Cat Attacks in Brighton
A local man has been arrested amid a probe into a spate of brutal cat injuries and deaths in Brighton.
Cat Found with Serious Wounds
Sussex Police swooped after a cat was found badly injured near Trafalgar Street on the evening of June 1. Sadly, the feline later died from its wounds.
CCTV Leads to Arrest
Officers quickly secured CCTV footage from the area, which led to the arrest of a 52-year-old local man on June 2. He’s been charged with criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. The suspect is now out on police bail until June 28.
“We acted fast after being alerted to the cat’s death,” said Detective Investigator Chris Thompson. “We’ve released the man on bail while investigations continue.”
Witness Appeal for Vital Info
Detectives are hunting a key witness believed to have stroked the cat before it was hurt around 7:50pm on June 1. The man is described as:
- White, around 5’8″ tall
- In his 20s or 30s
- Medium build with long, dark wavy hair
- Wearing sunglasses at the time
“If this sounds like you, please get in touch,” urged DI Thompson.
Ongoing Investigation Into Cat Deaths
Brave detectives have been probing multiple cat injuries and deaths across Brighton for over 18 months.
“We know how distressing this has been for owners and animal welfare groups,” Thompson said. “We’re working with experts from the Royal Veterinary College to uncover the cause.”
Police have ramped up patrols and launched house-to-house enquiries, tapping into CCTV and statements. They continue to seek any info from the public to crack “Operation Diverge.”
If you have any information, contact Sussex Police online or dial 101 quoting Operation Diverge.
