Cruel cat ‘killer’ leaves couple asking ‘Why us?’

With its quaint thatched cottages and restored church tower, the village of Thimbleby is the last place you’d expect to find a ‘cat killer.’
Eve Johnson with Pixie and his damaged tail which she says was caused  by someone deliberately shaving it. Picture: John Aron Photography.Eve Johnson with Pixie and his damaged tail which she says was caused  by someone deliberately shaving it. Picture: John Aron Photography.
Eve Johnson with Pixie and his damaged tail which she says was caused by someone deliberately shaving it. Picture: John Aron Photography.

But, pet lovers Eve Johnson (36) and her partner Chris Fenn (45) fear there could be one lurking in their midst.

They are convinced two of their cats - brothers Watson and Sherlock - were killed by poisoning.

Watson was the first cat to be killed.

Cuddling up together: Brothers Sherlock and Watson who are believed to have been poisonedCuddling up together: Brothers Sherlock and Watson who are believed to have been poisoned
Cuddling up together: Brothers Sherlock and Watson who are believed to have been poisoned

When Eve came home from Lincoln on a Friday evening she heard him crying in pain from next door’s garden.

He couldn’t move and collapsed on the kitchen floor.

She took him to the vets who told her they would keep him in for three days for tests. He died that night.

Sherlock died after Eve and Chris were alerted by his cries of pain.

He was panting and couldn’t stand.

The couple realised the symptoms were the same as Watson.

Sherlock passed away within an hour lying on Eve’s lap. She said: “He was in agony. At least he died at home with us - but it was awful.”

Their third cat - Pixie - is still alive but has a section of fur missing from his tail, caused, they say, by someone deliberately shaving it.

The couple admit they are ‘mystified’ as to why they have been singled out.

“We keep ourselves to ourselves,” explains Eve, an engineer at Siemens.

“We’ve never had any problems with anyone in the village. We love it. It’s quiet and everyone is friendly.

“A woman did once shout at us about the cats getting into her garden but that was a long time ago.

“Nothing justifies what has happened. We’re devastated.

“I suffer from anxiety and this has hardly made that any better.

“We’ve a dog and two rabbits, and I’m worried something will happen to them - and to Pixie every time he goes out.”

Chris had lived in Thimbleby for 16 years and Eve for the last eight.

The couple have a two-and-a-half -year old son, Harrison, who is upset by recent events.

Eve added: “The three cats all used to cuddle up together. Harrison loved them.

“I just wish we could find out who has done this - whether it’s someone local or just a random act.

“We also want other (pet) owners to be aware.”

Tests were not carried on Watson and Sherlock, but Eve says a vet agreed with the couple that they had been poisoned.

Eve explained: “We’re convinced they were poisoned and when we told the vet, he said that seemed likely.

“I don’t suppose we’ll know how it happened...whether someone left something for them to eat.”

After the couple discovered Pixie’s tail has ‘been deliberately shaved’, they contacted the police.

Eve added: “An officer from Horncastle rang us and was really sympathetic, but said there was nothing they could do.

“Some people are saying Pixie’s tail could have been damaged in a fight, but it’s a ‘clean’ shave, a three inch strip from the base of his tail.

“There’s no cuts or scratches. Someone did this deliberately.

“We keep asking ourselves what type of person could do all this, and why have they targeted us.

“We’ve thought about getting new cats but I don’t know...it’s all so upsetting.”

Related topics: