According to KHQ6 News, a fifth cat was found mutilated in North Spokane, Washington last Thursday morning. There’s a debate going on as to whether there’s a cat serial killer or whether wild animals are responsible.
Jim Barrington’s cat Buddy left the house early Thursday morning. Buddy hadn’t come back from his morning routine before Jim left for work and was still missing when Jim’s wife left for her job. When Jim arrived back home at 7:30 a.m. he saw what was left of Buddy laying on the lawn.
Only the back end of Buddy has been found. This is the fifth case of cat mutilations in the Spokane area since August 2017. The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) says some of the mutilated cats were missing organs, muscles and bones.
The photos are too graphic to post, but a discussion on the KHQ06 news media suggests coyotes may be the cause. One person commented a coyote had been spotted in the area. Another reader argued a coyote would have eaten the entire cat. A coyote would likely have taken Buddy back to its den rather than leaving half of him behind and experts are saying a wild animal isn’t responsible.
A suggestion was made to take Buddy to a veterinarian to determine whether it was a ‘clean cut’ or whether Buddy was torn apart. Hawks are also known for swooping in and snatching small animals. Other birds of prey also eat what they scavenge, regardless of whether or not they made the kill.
What do the readers here think is happening? Is there a serial killer in the making or are the cats falling victim to predatory animals? Please feel free to add more information on the killings and your thoughts on whether animals or humans are responsible.
Anyone with information regarding the cat killings is urged to call SCRAPS at (509) 477-2532. PETA is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.
Click here for more information on coyote attacks.
Follow Elisa on Facebook
Elisa
Note: The YouTube video says four cats have been found and Buddy was found after that video aired, making him the fifth cat killed. An interview with Buddy’s owner can be viewed here.
If you don’t let your pet roam out of your control it’s highly unlikely it will fall victim and die a horrible death by either animal or human predator.