FINGERPRINT evidence in addition to a DNA match exists against the Pets’ Corner slaughter suspect, it has been claimed in a letter to prosecutors.

Councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld has declared this to be his ‘understanding’ of the situation, as he seeks urgent information on why the case appears to have been dropped.

Meanwhile, demands for the prosecutors to explain their stance on the identified prime suspect continue to go unanswered.

Letters from Mr Ahlfeld and Inverclyde Council’s SNP group leader Chris McEleny have so far not been responded to.

Cllr Ahlfeld says he wants to find out the ‘thinking behind the decision to take no further action’.

He said: “It is my understanding that someone was identified as being the culprit and that he was charged following DNA evidence and fingerprint evidence.

“I have been approached by consituents and have undertaken to find out what the position is.” Cllr Ahlfeld is urging prosecutors to advise him ‘why it was felt not to be in the public interest to prosecute someone who was involved in the vandalism of a loved community asset and the killing of defenceless and innocent animals’.

The Telegraph recently revealed how a police probe into the 2011 savage attacks on creatures at Pets’ Corner in Gourock had resulted in the arrest of a suspect more than a year ago.

But prosecutors have never brought the case to court, despite police confirmation that DNA evidence was found which links an unnamed 18-year-old man from the town to the appalling crime.

A large dog and a golf club were used during the killing spree in June 2011.

Cllr Ahlfeld said: “This crime has caused consternation within the local community.” The Crown Office has so far refused to comment on the matter, citing data protection legislation.

A spokesman for Scotland’s prosecution authority said it is ‘not permitted’ to give information on ‘closed or historic cases’.