Cat found mutilated
Bedford, NH (US)Incident Date: Monday, Aug 22, 2011
County: Hillsborough
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
A woman whose house cat was found mutilated on the side of a Bedford street is hoping that someone will come forward with information about the crime.
Raj, a 3-year-old black-and-white male cat, was found cut in half on the side of Smith Road near Horizon Drive last week, according to police, who say a sharp instrument was used to cut the animal.
"I will not put my head in the sand and ignore this. Hopefully, restitution will come," said Anne Olasz of Merrimack, the cat's owner.
On Aug. 22, Olasz let her cat outside in the morning, and around 3 p.m. Bedford's animal control officer was knocking on her door. At first, Olasz said she did not believe Officer Steven Paul, because Raj had never wandered that far away from home.
However, Raj's microchip proved he was her cat, and Olasz said she was horrified about the news.
"That is a sick individual. It was an intentional cut and his ribs were not splintered at all. Raj was intentionally laid somewhere to be found, which makes this even more disturbing. This is criminal," she said.
It is still unclear whether the cat was killed in Merrimack or Bedford, so both police departments are jointly investigating the incident, which is being classified as a cruelty to animal case.
A veterinarian, Dr. William Sofield of Bedford Animal Hospital, examined the cat and determined on Tuesday that a sharp instrument was used to mutilate the pet. Police are asking anyone with information about the crime to call authorities.
"I want other pet owners to be aware of this so that they can protect their animals," said Olasz. "I'll fall apart later, but right now I am on a mission to get the word out there."
Olasz says she is grateful for the police and veterinarian team who have been respectful to her loss. While she acknowledges that just one house cat has been a victim, she fears that other pets may be subject to this same type of crime if Raj's killer is not identified.
She adopted Raj three years ago, and has an indoor cat as well. Olasz says she will never again have an outdoor cat, as this experience has been too heartbreaking.
Anyone with information is asked to call Bedford police at 472-5113 or Merrimack police at 424-3774.
Cruelty to animals is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine, according to police. If you have information on this case, please contact:
Bedford police
472-5113
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