Case Details

Severed and skinned cat head found, other cats missing toes
Tucson, AZ (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Oct 28, 2003
County: Pima
Local Map: available
Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case ID: 1803
Classification: Mutilation/Torture
Animal: cat
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Officials are trying to determine who left a severed, partially skinned cat head and two cages of other felines, some missing toes or claws at The Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter.

The shelter is located at 5275 E. 21st St. in Tucson, AZ.

An employee found the boxes/cages - 1 was about 1 foot by 1 foot by 1 foot contained 1 adult cat and 2 kittens, the other about 2 feet by 1 foot by 1 foot contained 1 adult cat, 3 kittens and a severed cat head.

3 of the kittens had serious injuries and one - an orange male - died while being treated. 2 others had to have their tails amputated and some toes also had to be cut off because they were so damaged. All the kittens are about 3 months old. The kitten's mother suffered no serious injuries but another adult cat had an ear wound and a claw torn out. A torti female kitten had no injuries. An orange kitten had a claw torn out and a tail wound. A black female cat has a puncture wound on her head and a black male is missing most of his toes and has the skin torn off the top of its paws. All were covered in fleas and had ear mites.

The shelter is located on the perimeter of an area officials have said is notorious for animal abuse. Reports have surfaced for years about mutilated or killed animals in the general area between East 22nd and East 29th Sts., from South Swan Road to South Kolb Road.

The shelter staff believes the cats were cat in a trap. "Whether someone put out a trap to deal with other critters and the cats got caught in them, or if someone put these traps out to deal with the cats, it's hard to say," stated Lori Poppa, Facility Director. Poppa wondered why someone would need to capture the cats that way, since they aren't feral. The 2 adults are extremely friendly. The kittens are understandably a little wary of being handled.

If anyone has information about who either left these cats/kittens at the shelter, or who may have harmed these cats/kittens they should contact the Shelter at 520-88-CRIME.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Lori Poppa
[email protected]
520-88-CRIME

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References

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News Channel 13 WKOLD-TV

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