A DISTRAUGHT pet owner has spoken of his horror after finding his two cats had been beheaded.

The body of a third cat was found nearby with a screwdriver in its head, prompting police to step up patrols.

And the Evening Post has learned that officers are linking the attacks this month to an earlier incident in which a cat was found mutilated.

Mark Sissons, of Sherwood, owned two of the cats: 14-year-old Smudge and 17-year-old Tigger, who were both found in Cavendish Vale, Sherwood.

Mr Sissons, 51, said: "I am boiling inside about it. It's an unfortunate state of our society.

"They were really lovely little cats. One of the neighbours had found Tigger and came to tell me about it.

"Tigger had been beheaded and was in the gutter at the corner of Cavendish Vale and Cavendish Avenue."

Mr Sissons said he had owned Tigger and Smudge since they were six weeks old.

He added: "The next-door neighbour said they had found the cat which had been beheaded and tailed. The neighbour dealt with that and made a grave for it."

The cat stabbed with the screwdriver was found near Somerfield supermarket in Mansfield Road.

PC Steven Fletcher, beat manager for Carrington, said: "These are terrible incidents and those responsible need to be caught.

"There was another incident which I think maybe linked to it which was reported by a member of the public on September 21.

"A cat's body was found in the doorway of a shop in Mansfield Road. It had been mutilated.

"I would like to catch whoever has done this and would urge anyone with information to get in touch with me or the RSPCA."

Graham Woolliscroft director of Arnwood Veterinary Clinic in Winchester Street, Sherwood, said: "One of our clients came to us saying he had found a cat of his that had been beheaded. It's horrific especially with the cats being so old and so dear."

Cat owners have been shocked by the attacks. Rob Nelson, 37, who works in Sherwood, has a 22-year-old called Sage.

He said: "I think what's happened is horrible and really disgusting. They become like members of the family and deserve to be treated like that."

Sarah Beattie, of Costock Avenue, Sherwood, has a cat called Henry.

She said: "I think it's sick what has happened. Cats don't do harm to anyone."

Anyone with information should call the RSPCA on 0300 123 4999, or PC Fletcher on 0115 9420 999 ext 4371 or 07792 437 302.