Two cats have been found dead with crushed skulls thought to have been caused by blunt trauma.

A member of the public discovered the body of a tabby cat, known as Tayo, last Thursday (April 24) near Ash Road, in Gravesend.

WARNING: Distressing pictures below

They took it to the vets in the town who found the feline had suffered severe injuries to the head, including an eye and jaw, which was fractured.

The following day (April 25), a second dead black and white cat was recovered with almost similar injuries behind a shed at Kings Farm Primary School and Nursery, in the nearby Cedar Avenue.

It is understood that both animals were microchipped to the same owner who said they let them out of the house at the beginning of the week, but they did not return home.

They also both had trackers on which had stopped working, but when found, only the black and white cat, called Patch, had it still attached to his collar.

The RSPCA has since launched an investigation after the two deaths were reported to it.

Animal rescue officer Adam Tasker said: “Both of these cats suffered horrendous injuries and we are looking for anyone who may have seen something in these areas or who may have CCTV footage.

“A vet who examined the bodies ruled out road traffic accidents and she believes that blunt trauma was the cause of their deaths.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 and refer to incident number 01505233.

Recently, another black and white cat was found dead in Chalk, near Gravesend, however, had a wound to its abdomen and body parts removed.

Volunteer sleuths from the South London Animal Investigation Network (SLAIN) launched an investigation and distributed leaflets appealing for information after a vet confirmed the cat’s injuries were “suspicious”.