A beloved family cat’s severed tail was pushed through a letterbox, and days later his body was found in nearby woods.
Story Highlights
- Police said they were called after a cat’s severed tail was posted through a home’s letterbox in Hull.
- The eight-year-old tabby, Max, vanished on September 14; the tail arrived on September 19.
- A dog walker later found Max’s body in woodland close to the owners’ flat.
- Officers sent the tail for forensic testing and appealed for CCTV and tips from the public.
Police Confirm Tail Was Posted Through Letterbox
Humberside Police said officers were called at around 12:30 p.m. on September 19 after a cat’s tail was pushed through the letterbox of an address on Appleton Road in Hull. Reports identify the pet as Max, an eight-year-old tabby with a distinctive white-tipped tail. The owners told reporters Max disappeared on September 14, five days before the tail appeared at their flat. Police opened an investigation and provided a reference number for anyone with information.
Investigators sent the tail for forensic testing, signaling that this was treated as a possible crime, not a routine lost-pet case. Media reports say specialists were asked to look for DNA or other trace evidence that could show who handled the tail. Officers also urged residents to share doorbell video, security camera footage, and any tips that might help identify who delivered the tail to the property.
Body Found In Woodland Near Home
Days after the tail was posted, a dog walker found Max’s body in woodland near the owners’ home, according to local reports. The owners later confirmed the remains were Max and said the body had been placed just off a main path, close to their flat. They described the scene as recent and unsettling. The discovery matched the short timeline between the disappearance, the mailed tail, and the recovery of the body in the same area.
Coverage describes Max as an eight-year-old tabby known for a white-tipped tail, which supports the link between the mailed tail and the missing pet. The owners publicly called the incident a targeted human attack, reflecting their grief and shock at the sequence of events. Police have not named a suspect. Public reports do not include a released lab result or a final finding on how the tail was removed.
What Authorities Need To Move The Case Forward
Officers asked the public to review camera footage and share any sightings from Appleton Road, nearby alleys, and woodland paths around the dates in question. Such images could show who approached the flat or handled a parcel on September 19. Forensic work on the tail and any samples from the body could confirm identity, timing, and whether the tail was removed before or after death, which matters for possible charges under animal-welfare laws.
Police appeals noted the case reference so tips are logged and traced, which helps build a timeline and preserve evidence. Owners and neighbors can help by saving video files, noting times, and sharing detailed descriptions. One brief caveat remains: media reports do not publish a police conclusion about cause of death. The case is active, and investigators are treating the physical evidence and public leads as key steps to accountability.
Why This Strikes A Nerve For Families
Families see pets as part of the home. A severed tail posted through a door feels like an invasion and a warning. People expect the law to respond fast when something so personal is attacked. Clear evidence collection, quick lab work, and strong follow-up can deter copycat cruelty. When police ask for video and tips, that is a chance for the community to stand up for basic decency and help officers find who did this.
Sources:
mirror.co.uk, hulldailymail.co.uk
