The so-called Croydon Cat Killer is believed to have struck in St Mary Cray.

Anne Patts said she noticed that Sid, the rabbit she had loved for three years, was not in his cage like he should have been on January 10.

"All I heard was a bang in the early hours of the morning," she said.

"I didn't really take any notice though."

She arrived back home after the school run and still Sid was nowhere to be seen.

A neighbour thought he had managed his way into a nearby garage, but it wasn't him.

Then came the devastating moment that Sid was found behind the back fence of Anne's house in Sholden Gardens.

"His head was cut clean off," she said.

"And they cut off his foot as well.

"That's when it hit me that he was really gone.

"For a person to do that, it's just disgusting."

Anne had heard of the Croydon Cat Killer - also known as the UK Animal Killer and believed to be responible for the killing and mutilatation of more than 400 animals - before this happened and immediately got in contact with South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty to see if it was linked.

"A man from SNARL confirmed it was linked to the investigation," she said.

Anne said Sid was more to her than just a pet, he was part of the family.

"He is a friendly rabbit, he never left the house, he used to jump happily in his cage and would run around the garden," she said.

"Two years ago he and his brother were attacked by foxes.

"I had to run out into he street to try and save them. His brother didn't make it."

Now Anne said she is too scared to let her other rabbits out of the house.

"I've got two more rabbits and eight babies and they're all in the laundry room at the moment.

"I need to give them away now as I can't let the same thing happen to them as what happened to Sid."

She's also letting as many people in the area know as possible that the Cat Killer has struck so close to home.

"I've texted people in my area and said for them to be aware," Anne said. "There's now loads of leaflets put up and down the streets where I live. "The more people that know, the better."

SNARL have confirmed the case is being linked to the Croydon Cat Killer.