Warning as cruel yobs target cats; CRIME: Families horrified after pets killed and tortured.

Byline: By Emma Cullwick

POLICE are warning pet owners in Kings Heath to be on their guard after a cat was killed by being hung from an iron gate and another had its leg skinned.

The Birmingham Mail reported earlier this month how animal lover Margaret Lynch was left devastated when heartless thugs tied a clothes line around her cat Woody's neck, then strung the animal to the gate in front of a house in Haytor Avenue.

The grim discovery was made by 48-year-old Margaret's friend Patricia Gale, who lives in neighbouring Belstone Close.

But now Ms Gale's cat Polo has also become victim of what is feared to be a gang of cruel teenagers who are terrorising pets in the neighbourhood.

The 52-year-old said: "Polo had been gone from the house for about four hours.

"I was out looking and calling for him, then my daughter found him limping.

"He was bleeding and his fur had been ripped back so you could see the muscles of his hind legs, he had literally been skinned."

The six-year-old cat is now making a slow recovery after undergoing surgery.

"When Margaret's cat was killed I was so fearful of anything happening to my cats, I can't believe my worst fears have now been realised," added Ms Gale.

"There's no doubt in my mind that there's a group of troublemakers behind this, it's pure evil." Now she says she worries for the safety of her other three cats, 12-year-old Lottie, Sybil, 11, and Crystal, also 11.

Police have launched an investigation. Anyone with information can call 0845 113 5000.

CAPTION(S):

SKINNED Gale with Polo. Picture: John Reavenall