Police hunt sadistic cat killer blamed for 33 deaths
Police in Florida are hunting a sadistic cat killer suspected of being responsible for mutilating and murdering dozens of pets.
Police stations in Miami-Dade County have been inundated with phone calls in recent days from people who have discovered dead cats scattered around the community, according to CNN.com.
On Thursday the confirmed list cat murders and mutilations grew to 19. Police are also looking into 14 more cat deaths which they believe could be linked to the killing spree.
Chloe, a striped 12-year-old tabby cat, was one of the three discovered Thursday morning with her body chopped into pieces.
“I grew up with that cat, and then you wake up one morning and you find them — it’s murder,” owner Joylene Ceballos told WPLG. “It’s just really awful. It is really, really an awful sight.”
The owners of another victim, Tommy the black and white tuxedo cat, told CNN that Tommy’s corpse, which they found in their back yard had been partly skinned and parts of its legs removed.
“It’s disturbing to know that this happened right in front of your house, while you’re sleeping inside,” Donna Gleason said. “I’m not terrified, but I’m not sleeping as well as I used to.”
Miami-Dade Police spokesman Bobby Williams told CNN several of the cat carcasses were “posed,” and said anyone capable of such cruelty toward and torture of an animal “is disturbed at some sort of level.”
The crimes began on 13 May and a reward of $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the killer. Police are also urging pet owners to keep their cats indoors until the killer or killers are caught.
“We’re telling people to be aware where their cats are at. Keep your pets inside,” said Williams. “If anyone looks or acts suspicious, call police.Have us come out there and check them out. This could be the missing link we’re looking for.”