Islington: Man denies animal cruelty after 20 cats found dead

Google Picture showing the exterior of blocks of flats at the Pleydell Estate.Google
Police patrolled the Pleydell Estate overnight after reports of dead cats in the area

A man has appeared in court charged with animal cruelty offences after about 20 dead cats were found in public spaces in north London.

Plain-clothes officers carried out overnight patrols at the Pleydell Estate, in Islington, after reports of dead cats in the area, police said.

David Avhanvhondo, 56, pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Monday.

He was arrested on 12 February.

Mr Avhanvhondo, of King Square, also denied carrying out a prohibited procedure on a protected animal and is set to appear at the same court on 28 February.

Met Police investigators are understood to be working through all the reports, but about 20 cats have been identified so far.

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