As concerns that foxes are attacking family pets in Epsom are raised with the Secretary of State for the Environment it emerged that another cat has been found eaten.

The remains of two-year-old Button were discovered three weeks ago in a garden a few doors from her home in Green Lanes in Epsom.

She was found less than a mile from Pam’s Way where some residents fear aggressive foxes are responsible for the death of two much-loved kittens in the last four months.

At the weekend news of a huge 35lb 4ft 3inches long fox shot in Sussex and an even bigger 38lb fox in Aberdeenshire was covered by many national newspapers.

There is speculation that the availability of food in urban areas is allowing foxes to grow to unprecedented size, although the owner of the dead cat believes that the introduction of wheelie bins cutting of an important food supply may be causing foxes to attack pets.

Barry Winnett said: "Foxes like to scavenge and the wheelie bins now do not offer them any food, so clearly they are turning to our pets.

"We circulated the area only to be told by a neighbour that they had found her body several gardens away from our own.

"When we investigated all that was left of her was her hind quarters. She had been ripped apart and eaten including her tail.

"I feel that there are so many foxes now in our area that this is going to cause much more heartache for cat owners.

"The council needs to do something urgently about this situation and I feel a cull is the only answer."

Residents' worries about killer foxes have now been raised with the Secretary of State for Environment by the MP for Epsom and Ewell Chris Grayling.

Residents Association Councillor and Pam's Way resident Dave Mayall said he was speaking with authorities to get advice for residents.

He said: "It’s a positive move. I’m not sure what advice will now come back but he has made representation for us.

"The council has no statutory duty to do anything with foxes as they are not considered vermin."

Despite the issue being taken up by Chris Grayling, some residents in Pam’s Way are convinced foxes are not to blame for the deaths.

Mrs Beecher said: "I left the chicken hutch door open last week by mistake. The chickens were running around the garden all day. When I got home they were fine. Not a single one had been touched.

"It’s no way a fox attacking kittens. There is a feral cat around here that’ll be responsible. The only time you’ll see a fox with a cat in its mouth is if it’s picked up a cat that’s been run over by a car."

Another resident said: "Foxes are usually scared of cats. I’ve seen foxes and cats sitting together quite happily.

"I feed foxes and they often wait until cats have finished picking at the food before they go to it. It would be very rare if a fox attacked a cat."

But other’s remain convinced that a killer fox is in their midst including Robert Mitchelmoore, who’s cat George was killed in November last year.

He said: "I have to go out every day and check the garden for fox poo and every day I see foxes.

"I have to keep the kids inside. I check the garden daily and peer over the fence to check they’re not sat in their regular spot.

"My kitten has been stuck inside, she’s never been out, and if she did then she’d be dead within two days."