AN animal rights organisation is offering a reward of up to £2,000 for information leading to the conviction of the attackers behind the mutilation of cats in Cinderford.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) warns the animal abusers are a serious threat to the community and are likely to escalate behaviour unless stopped.

Since February at least five cats have been either attacked or killed including six-month-old tabby kitten, Shabbs, who was found decapitated in Rowandean.

"It’s imperative that any community faced with sadistic and violent acts like this take measures to find the culprits and bring them to justice", says PETA associate director Elisa Allen. "Animal abusers are a danger to everyone: they take their issues out on whoever is available to them – human or non-human – and must be caught before they act again."

PETA urges everyone always to keep their cats indoors and to report any suspected cases of cruelty to animals to authorities.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Gloucestershire Police on 101. For more information about helping animals visit PETA.org.uk.