Fear is spreading among cat owners in a UK village after a mystery spate of felines being shaved. Police have warned "this is not a bit of fun" following the bizarre incidents in the village of Pinchbeck near Spalding, Lincolnshire. Cat parents say their beloved moggies have been coming home with strange patches of fur missing. The motive and identity of the phantom shaver remains unknown, but police in the area believe it may be connected to another similar recent incident in Kirton, near Boston. Thankfully, the cats do not appear to have been physically harmed in the acts.
Police said that in all incidents hair clippers appeared to have been used to shave the cats, with the patches affected luckily only small. While the act itself appears harmless, shaving cats can lead to health problems by exposing skin which could become irritated or even infected, as well as causing them anxiety and humiliation. Lincolnshire Police has urged anyone who notices the same thing has happened to their cat to come forward and report it, warning the public that it's no laughing matter, Lincolnshire Live reports. A statement released by South Holland Police: "It has been brought to the attention of the Local Policing Team that some cats have been returning to owners addresses in the morning with parts of their fur having been shaven off.
"This appears to be in the Pinchbeck area. There has also been a case of this in Kirton near Boston. The motivation behind this is not known. The cats do not appear physically harmed and the shaven area appears to be small and caused by some form of hair clippers.". The mystery follows a similar spate of attacks targeting cats in Kent back in 2023, when owners across a number of towns and villages came forward reported their pets had been shaved with clippers. RSPCA chief inspector Patrick Hamby said at the time: "If a cat has been shaved, it would have had to have been held down by someone they don't know, which would put a lot of stress on the cat," he added. Your cat may show signs of not wanting to go out anymore, or wanting to go out much less.".
South Holland Police continued: "Whilst not appearing physically harmed this behaviour will cause the cats anxiety and will have a lasting impact beyond the simple physical act." Regarding the incident, Inspector Matt Dickinson said "This behaviour is completely unacceptable. Whatever the motivation behind this it is not something that should be taking place. "The cats in question are someone's pet, part of their family and not only will these actions cause anxiety to the animal they also cause worry to their owners. Anyone who is evidenced to be responsible for doing this will have robust action taken against them and where necessary be prosecuted for any criminal offences identified. This is not a bit of fun and needs to stop now".
