New Canaan Police Station
© News 8 WTNH

New Canaan -- Police in New Canaan are trying to solve a gruesome mystery. Someone there has been beheading animals and pets and leaving the heads on people's property.

It's happened at least a couple of times over the last few days.

"Normally we are putting up signs for neighbors who are missing animals, not torturing them," said Lillian Worthley.

Police say two animals have been decapitated. A third killed and left in the backseat of a neighbor's car.

It happened last week in three different neighborhoods in New Canaan.

The cat was the neighborhood pet that went missing.

"We are not 100%, we believe that is the same cat. The cat goes missing and the head turns up a day later in the vicinity of where the cat went missing," said Sgt. Carol Ogrinc, New Canaan Police.

The neighborhoods where the severed heads have turned up are nice homes. One homeowner said she found the bird on the back patio and there are some heavily wooded areas nearby.

At first police thought it might be the work of wild animals, but when they took a closer look, they saw the heads were severed by a human.

"The cats head was cut or severed very cleanly. I don't believe an animal is capable of doing that," said Ogrinc.

But neighbors are worried about the person or people capable of that.

When asked how important it is that they catch this person, Beth Schlesinger said, "I think it's very important for past instances in other sleepy towns like ours. I think it's imperative."

"I just think when something horrific happens, it's an animal. But it's cruelty and what could that escalate to," said Worthley.

Police say they are taking it very seriously because of the cruelty charge and that they have some good leads in this case.

Anyone with information is also asked to contact New Canaan police.