In the last eight months there have been at least six cats who have a hind foot cut off in a series of mutilations in the central Tucson area.
Each of the cats were missing a back paw at or just below the tarsal joint (equivalent of an ankle).
Dr Scott Ruth, a veterinarian with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona who examined the cats said "It looks like someone took a hatchet or a knife. It looks like they're going right through the bone or they're finding the joint." In describing the pain the cats have endured, "the worse kind of pain you can imagine."
Scott does not believe they were caught in traps because the cats do not seem to have any other injuries.
They could not determine any kind of trend such as color, gender, or breed. It appeared most of the cats were young and short-haired.
Marsh Myers, the Humane Society's Director of education and community outreach said, "The attempt here does not apear to be to kill the animal .... although I'm certain some have died of blood loss and shock."
"If it's taking place in the same place within the same period of time, it's a pretty good bet you have one individual doing this." Speculation for the reason for the mutilations is it could be for cruelty or a ritual.
The wounded cats were brought to the clinic as strays.
The Tucson police could provide no information. A young Siamese found before Christmas in a backyard near East Grant Road and North Alvernon Way was missing her left hind foot. She was adopted by a humane society docent.
The rest of the Siamese cat's leg was removed to improve her mobility. She is now running around with her adopted family's other 34 cats and is very loving towards humans.
Animal cruelty is a misdemeanor violation and carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $2,500 fine. Proposed legislation would increase the offense to a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison. Case UpdatesTwo groups are offering $10,000 to find the person(s) who are mutilating cats in the Tucson area. The Humane Society received $9,000 in donations after the Arizona Daily Star article. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) added another $1,000.
The reward money will only be awarded if someone provides information leading to the conviction of the person or persons who have been mutilating cats and cutting off their hind paws. Six cats have been found mutilated in this way.
Executive Director of the Humane Society, Susan Wilson said, "We want it to stop, and we're going to do what we can to make sure it does."
Anyone with information about the mutilations should call Marsh Myers, director of education and community outreach with the Humane Society at 321-3704 extension 125. | Source: Arizona Daily Star, Tucson - Mar 20, 1999
Update posted on Apr 9, 2005 - 5:29PM |
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