A man has been charged with animal cruelty offences after many cats were found dead in public spaces in London.
David Avhanvhondo, 56, is charged with causing unnecessary suffering and carrying out a prohibited procedure on a protected animal.
He was arrested at 4am on Sunday by undercover police officers on night patrols.
Avhanvhondo appeared in court on Monday and entered a not guilty plea to both charges.
Concerns were raised by members of the public following a significant number dead cats in the vicinity of the Pleydell Estate in Islington, north London.
Detectives have been investigating the deaths of many cats since September 2022 and are still working through reports, but say they have identified around 20 so far.
Avhanvhondo, of King Square in Barbican, will now reappear at the same court on February 28.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘Officers investigating the deaths of cats found in public spaces in Islington have charged a man with animal cruelty offences.
‘Between September 2022 and February 2023, concerns were raised by members of the public about the discovery of a number of dead cats in the vicinity of the Pleydell Estate.
‘Acting on these concerns, plainclothes officers were deployed to the area to carry out overnight patrols.
‘David Avhanvhondo was charged the next day.
‘Officers are asking anyone who believes they have relevant information to call 101, providing the reference 2701641/23.’
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