Oscar, who has been linked with the deaths of roughly 50 pensioners, four goldfish and a hamster called Mr Numpty, is believed to be hiding out somewhere in Connecticut. His friends and family are protesting his innocence, claiming that he has been convicted on weak circumstantial evidence. Tiddles Shipman, Oscar's sister in law, told Stinky Ponky "He's innocent. And he didn't eat that damn hamster - he's very fussy with his food! In fact the worst thing I've ever known him do was to take a shit in the flower bed."

Rhode Island District Attorney Ted Bundy tells a different story however. "Shipman has lived in Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre in Providence since 2005. During that time 50 very old, ill people have died and he's been present. What's the common denominator? That fucking cat! Between 2000 and 2005 only 46 people died. See?

"He's a killer, and we're advising anyone who sees Oscar not to approach him. Call the police immediately, lock your doors and cat flaps and put catnip in your pants. If Oscar approaches you try to distract him with a piece of string. If that fails hit him on the nose with a slipper, or in extreme cases, squirt him with a water pistol."

Tiddles told us that she fears for Oscar's safety. "He's out there all alone, probably scared out of his wits. He didn't even have time to put his boots on. I'm scared of what the mob might do to him if they find him. He's just a big pussycat. There have been so many lies. One nurse from the home claims that she overheard him telling a dying old lady that he was going to eat her liver with a nice chianti and some Friskies. I don't know how she can sleep at night."

Police have released this description of Oscar; "He is a cat, and wears a hat, a red striped hat, a white striped hat, where is this cat? please tell us that. This cat is fat and murders old people."