The remains of a decapitated white cat have been found on a public green in south Dublin.
It is the second time in a week that a mutilated animal has been uncovered by the public following the discovery of a decapitated dog earlier this week.
Dublin Society for the Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) spokeswoman Gillian Bird described the decapitation of the cat as "barbaric and disgusting".
The cat's body was found on a green in Ballyboden, Co Dublin on Thursday and a DSPCA inspector was called.
The cat is now the subject of an animal post mortem to find if she was decapitated while still alive or after she died.
Vets are also trying to locate the microchip on the animal which would identify her owner.
The body of a large bull terrier dog was also found decapitated in a bin shed beside apartments in Clondalkin on Monday.
Ms Bird said it is too early to say if the two incidents are related. She also said it is not clear what the motivations are for the decapitations.
“Some people will be scared hearing about these incidents, but this is not something we experience on a regular basis. It is rare to see something like this happen,” she said.
“There are loads of ideas and horror stories. There is no point in even guessing why somebody would do it. It is hard to find out who carried out these incidents. We will not know why it was done until we find who did it.”
The DSPCA and Rathfarnham Gardaí are investigating and are calling on anyone who saw something suspicious or who may have any CCTV footage of the cat attack to contact Rathfarnham Garda station as soon as possible.
“We are working with the Gardaí in both cases and really need the public’s help in finding the persons responsible,” Ms Bird said.
