Dead cats were found on the Pleydell Estate, Islington
(Picture: Google )Detectives probing the deaths of up to 40 cats found in public spaces near Old Street have charged a man with animal cruelty offences.
David Avhanvhondo, 56, was arrested by undercover officers deployed to the area to conduct overnight patrols.
Passers-by alerted police to the discovery of multiple dead pets near the Pleydell Estate since September.
About 4am on Sunday, Avhanvhondo was stopped and subsequently detained.
The suspect, of King Square, Barbican appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court the following day charged with causing unnecessary suffering and carrying out a prohibited procedure on a protected animal.
Avhanvhondo entered not guilty pleas and will reappear at the same court on Tuesday, February 28.
The Metropolitan Police said their five-month investigation is still working through reports. Twenty dead cats have been identified so far and police believe the number will double to around 40.
A spokesman added: “Officers investigating the deaths of cats found in public spaces in Islington have charged a man with animal cruelty offences.
“Between September 2022 and February 2023, concerns were raised by members of the public about the discovery of a number of dead cats in the vicinity of the Pleydell Estate.
“Acting on these concerns, plainclothes officers were deployed to the area to carry out overnight patrols.
“David Avhanvhondo was charged the next day.
“Officers are asking anyone who believes they have relevant information to call 101, providing the reference 2701641/23.”
