Five kittens found mutilated in Melbourne

The bodies of five kittens, only weeks old, have been found mutilated behind a Melbourne shop.

A passer-by found the kittens dead with multiple stab wounds behind a business in Blackburn South on March 19, police say.

A RSPCA forensic vet performed autopsies on the kittens.

"It appears these kittens would have all died a slow and painful death given the injuries they had," Constable Libby Harris of Box Hill police said.

"It's shocking to think anyone would want to harm any animal in that way, let alone five tiny kittens.

"It's also a concern as we know people prepared to kill or injure animals in this way may also be prepared to commit further offences."