Cat found decapitated - Weymouth, MA

Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009

County: Norfolk

Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Lakeview Manor tenants are trying to understand why somebody decapitated a cat’s head and left the remains near a children’s play area at the complex on Tuesday, July 28.

“It was definitely deliberate,” said Weymouth Police Capt. James Mullin on July 31.

He said the condition of the remains did not suggest a coyote or other animal attacked the cat.

Police responded to the scene shortly after 7 p.m. after a tenant reported the grisly find to officers.

“The animal was found and removed by an officer,” Mullin said. “Some people in the area were questioned, but we have no suspect. We don’t know if somebody owned the cat and nobody that is looking for the cat has called us.”

The cat additionally received a deep cut in its body from the perpetrator.

Lakeview Manor residents voiced disgust about the incident in a published news report.

“Someone has to be really sick to do something like this,” said Nichole Presente.

A tenant who declined to be identified said syringe needles and drug paraphernalia are often found near the playground by parents.

“We find them everywhere (in the town) since they legalized the ownership of syringe needs,” Mullin said.

He said it remains unclear if a person under the influence of drugs mistreated the feline and that animal cruelty is not a major problem in Weymouth.

“We do handle complaints and when we get them we follow up and do the best we can with investigating them,” Mullin said.

Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) spokesman Brian Adams said drugs do influence a person to mistreat a creature in some instances.

“There have been cases that we’ve investigated where drugs to play a role in animal cruelty,” he said.

Adams said a study done by MSPCA and Northeastern University several years ago reveals there is a link between people who mistreat animals and eventually inflict cruelty on people.

“George T. Angell (founder of MSPCA) was asked why he spent so much time and money about being kind to animals when there is so much cruelty in the world,” Adams said. “Angell said, I’m working at the roots.”

He said MSPCA investigates about one or two cases each month that involve cruelty allegations about an animal being tortured or killed.”

“Animal cruelty remains an incredible problem in Massachusetts as it does in many states,” he said. “The law enforcement wing of MSPCA investigates about 3,000 allegations a year.”

Most of the calls MSPCA receives are largely about animal neglect such as a pet owner not providing enough food, water or shelter to a creature.

“That is the most common,” Adams said. “One end of the spectrum is neglect and on the other end there is extreme physical abuse that ends in death for the animal. We investigate the full range of abuse.”

People who are found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to $2,500 and serve a five-year prison sentence under Massachusetts law.

“Our capacity is to investigate animal cruelty and file charges if they are warranted,” Adams said. “It is then up to the courts to decide to hand down a punishment if they deem it necessary. The punishments can range from not allowing a person to own a pet or a mental evaluation in some instances.”

He said MSPCA tries to educate children about animal cruelty when the agency has enough staff available to visit local schools.
“We do have an education component where the schools will invite us in to speak to the kids about animal cruelty,” Adams said. “It does start at an early age.”

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Weymouth Police Dept.
(781) 335-1212

Case Updates

Pet owners on the South Shore are being warned after several cases of disturbing animal abuse were discovered. Veterinarians said at least five cats have been found either cut in half or decapitated near Whitman's Pond over the last few months. Authorities said that the area has a high wildlife population and they are not sure if animals could be responsible for the attacks or if a person is doing it. Signs have been posted in the area urging residents to keep their animals inside. "She seemed to be fairly clean. There were no cut marks near the throat. No scratch marks or claws. Nothing like there was a fight on the top half of her body," said Paul Corrigan, whose cat was found cut in half. Veterinarians in the area are concerned with the rise in cat attacks. "At first we thought it was an isolated thing, but now that we have been seeing it more and more and considering the fact that the cases that we've been hearing about have all been found in the same exact manner ," Dr. Deborah Lindsay, of the Weymouth Landing Cat Clinic. A local businessman put out a reward offering $500 for any information on the attacks. The reward has now grown to $1,800 for any information that leads to an arrest.

Source: WHDH - Sept 3, 2009 Update posted on Sep 5, 2009 - 12:30AM

A local businessman is offering a $500 reward to a person who provides police with information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect who mutilated a cat near a playground at Lakeview Manor apartments last week. “I’m an animal enthusiast,” Mark Chamberlain told the News on Aug. 4. “They need somebody to speak for them, and this time, it is me.” Police found that a cat’s head had been severed and its body mutilated when they responded to the scene following a call. Chamberlain explained that he is offering a reward because few people are convicted of animal abuse in Massachusetts. “The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has over 3,000 cases of abuse reported to them a year,” said Chamberlain, a South Shore Chamber of Commerce member. “Only one percent of the cases make it to court, and about two-thirds of the persons charged go free.” Persons convicted of animal cruelty can be fined up to $2,500 under state law and serve a five-year prison sentence. Chamberlain said it is important to stop animal abusers because studies reveal that they have a tendency to commit violent crimes against people in the future. “It (animal abuse) usually involves a sociological factor,” he said. “They (abusers) have had some bad things that have happened to them.” Chamberlain feels that society must reach out to animal abusers to prevent further cruelty. “Maybe we can help these people,” he said. “The business community has a responsibility to help.” Chamberlain believes that more businesses should offer a similar reward that leads to the arrest and conviction of this abuse suspect. “I urge the business community to move forward on this,” he said. “We need to stop and help this person. It could be a kid out there who has a problem.” People who have information about the suspect can notify police by calling (781) 335-1212.

Source: Wickedlocal.com - Aug 4, 2009 Update posted on Aug 6, 2009 - 1:22PM

References

• « MA State Animal Cruelty Map
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