A "sick" person is mutilating and killing cats in Kamloops, according to Crimestoppers.

On Sunday morning, a homeowner on the 1900 block of Valleyview Drive discovered the family cat cut in half on the front lawn.

"It appears that the animal was killed somewhere else and thrown on the lawn as there was no blood at the scene," said Crimestopper co-ordinator Mark Price. "It's pretty sick. This person needs some help."

It was the second such killing in two weeks.

On Telford Drive last week, a cat was discovered with a wound on its head and cut in half in the same manner. A sharp, possibly surgical instrument was used in both instances.

Crimestoppers is asking for anyone with information to call 1-800-222-TIPS anonymously.

"We will then contact the appropriate agencies to get the assistance this person needs," said Price.

The mutilations are similar to those recently occurring in the Lower Mainland.

Cats in Maple Ridge and Langley have been targeted for the last year with 24 felines being found cut in half so far.

RCMP say forensic experts will search for human DNA as they try to solve a series of cat killings in suburban Vancouver.

Insp. Stephan Drolet says they will attempt to determine if human DNA can be recovered from any of the remains while the force's Behavioural Science Group, which tracks deviant criminal behaviour, is also being consulted.

Police say they don't yet know if a person is behind all of the killings because a natural predator may be involved.

Drolet says a veterinarian is performing necropsies to find the exact cause of death.

Insp. Dave Fluegel says the RCMP has placed a high priority on solving the killings, and the police are following up on tips from the public and working with the SPCA on the investigation.

SFU criminologist Robert Gordon, who said he's "tangentially" involved in the investigation, suggested it's no use wondering why someone would do such a thing.

"We can't try to find reason where there is no reason. It's a case of unreason," he said. "

That being said, there are two categories such an individual could fall into, said Gordon.

"They may be experimenting with animal cruelty with a view to moving to bigger and better things or it's somebody who just simply has a pathological hatred of cats and is working out some sort of psychological problem doing this."

He said strong empirical evidence shows serial murderers often begin by torturing small animals.

"But you can't say that because someone is cruel to animals they're automatically going to become a serial murderer," he added. "The most likely explanation has more to do with somebody with a pathological hatred towards cats."