Canada: London Humane Society warns of serial animal killer in London, Ontario

There had been at least eight incidents involving 17 mutilated animals including cat, coyotes, and several dead snakes left in weird poses during the past one year, reported CTV News.

Incidents of a headless skinned dog found on top of a recycling bin near a beer store and wounded and partially skinned goose dumped in front of the humane society's door was also brought to the attention of Judy Foster, executive director of London Humane Society.

Apart from 17 animals reported killed and mutilated in London, Ont., Michael Arntfield, a criminology professor at Western University received photos of several birds found with shattered necks and broken beaks.

"It doesn't make me feel better knowing there is such great similarities between all of these," Foster said. "And the disturbing part is you don't know when the animals died — at the start, halfway through or as a result of what was done to it. It's impossible to forget what we've seen."

The strange thing noticed was that along with the mutilated animals, there was no trace of blood suggesting that these animals were killed elsewhere.

"The animals are incredibly clean," Foster said. "We believe that it would take a fair amount of time to do that.”

Foster also noted that a pattern was being followed in the crime, first it was wildlife, and then domestic animals.

It was unsure if it was the work of a single person, or a group.

"This will continue to escalate," Arntfield said in a phone interview. "This is not a prank, it's not mischief. It's sexual, it's predatory, it's high-risk and it's criminal."

"This is a serial animal killer," Arntfield said.

Arntfield and Foster were both worried that human beings could become the serial killer’s next target.

The incidents had left the society dumbfound and London police became very serious.

An investigation on this case was in progress, said Const. Sandasha Bough.

(Reported by Asha Bajaj, Image of a beheaded dog: Wikimedia Commons)