Trailer park management demands residents kill feral cats

White Eagle mobile home park
Two useful tags. Click either to see the articles: Toxic to cats | Dangers to cats

White Eagle mobile home park

Beginning the first of October we will begin an all out assault on all stray cats…So keep your one pet indoors…LAST WARNING…All residents can help clean up the stray cat problem by leaving a bowl of antifreeze out to poison these ever increasing problem…This stray cat problem if not eliminated will result in higher rents for all residents.

“WHITE EAGLE WOODS…LLC”

demand to poison cats at trailer park

Demand to poison cats at trailer park

This is part of a notice sent to all residents of a trailer park in Reeds Spring, Missouri, USA.

The trailer park manager, Mark Rich denies sending out the letter. He does admit, though, that the residents of the trailer park are divided on the issue of feral cats which reflects society generally. Some people want to feed them and some want to kill them. The split in opinion has been like this for a long time but the truth is that killing feral cats is neither the solution nor is it moral behaviour. Quite rightly, some residents are up in arms about the letter. They see it as completely unacceptable.

The park manager says that Animal Control can’t really help and the Humane Society charge $40 per cat to remove them (I presume that means trap and relocate or euthanise).

Useful links
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Children and cats - important

The letter is fierce because it is effectively a demand to kill cats with severe consequences for those who don’t comply.

The letter must be a crime as it is a conspiracy to commit animal cruelty. It must be a violation of the state’s animal welfare laws or federal laws and if not the laws are no good.

Dead, presumed poisoned, cats have been found by the police investigating the matter. The police appear to be disinterested. We are told that they couldn’t tell what caused the cats’ deaths or prove that they were killed by someone.

However, it wouldn’t take much to do some tests on the cats to see if they were poisoned by antifreeze.

Sadly and typically this sort of crime goes unpunished. The difficulties in properly dealing with the “feral cat problem” remain unresolved. All the focus should be on proactive, preventative measures: stopping the breeding of cats through education to improve cat ownership standards.

Useful tag. Click to see the articles: Cat behavior

Note: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified.

Michael Broad

Hi, I'm a 74-year-old retired solicitor (attorney in the US). Before qualifying I worked in many jobs including professional photography. I love nature, cats and all animals. I am concerned about their welfare. If you want to read more click here.

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49 Responses

  1. Ahsan ul Haq says:

    WEST IS BEST
    because when they are criticized
    They find a remedy

    Saying of the prophet S.A.W. (in Sahi Moslem book of hadith)

    And Its a happy ending NEWS I hope 😀

  2. Cindy Shepard says:

    This is the news I was hoping to hear. A rescue has stepped in to help these cats. No cat should die because they are homeless.

    https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=829776203723669&id=100000738902252

  3. Cindy Shepard says:

    Latest on cats in Missouri. They are starting to get enough attention to where I hope they will be safe. I am hoping an organization close by will implement TNR and the Humane Society and law enforcement will follow through with their investigation.

  4. Dee (Florida) says:

    This would be the sort of article that Jimbo/Woody would love to spew his crap all over.
    But, sadly for him, and him alone, he likely drowned because he had to be ponged.
    Good job R and Michael!

  5. Ahsan ul Haq says:

    Michael as per the internet source and surfing the net, I know that there are many NGO’s (non governmental organizations) working for the feral cats in USA. They get/ collect high amount of funds for the purpose. They may be powerful enough to have the support of LAW (i.e. police or judiciary).

    I am astonished sometimes that:
    1. FUNDS are not a problem for them.
    2. The law is very elastic.
    3. They are not as ignorant/ un-aware as the eastern side population.
    4. They have a huge support of cat lovers.
    5. They have Vets, Clinics, and every resource plus favorable circumstances.

    If a certain event of cat cruelty is happening in any area of the country and the dead bodies are seen constantly within few days gap/ daily. The people are complaining, plus they are aware of the situation going on, Why the NGO’s persons set cameras, traps,take an action and find out a remedy for the matter???? Is there something else going on behind the curtains?

    sometimes I ask my self, how much difficult is to gather Feral Cats in one spot, just by feeding them food, and they are there, What is the hurdle to trap them, when they are claiming that they are experts in their fields, are they experts? I doubt something else? Are they really willing for the welfare of the feral fellows or they are just making it as advertisement for money???

    I doubt 🙁

    • Is there something else going on behind the curtains?

      Yes, there is not enough interest in the welfare of feral cats and despite the agencies etc and good people helping feral cats there are many people who don’t like them and want to see them dead, exterminated. There is also not enough commitment in enforcing animal welfare laws even in the West where animal welfare law is good.

  6. Dee (Florida) says:

    I suppose that it’s possible that a disgruntled resident distributed the letter under the guise of management.
    Not really so important, because law enforcement wouldn’t even consider such a threat to be a crime. In fact, I have doubts that they would even have any interest.
    Antifreeze poisoning is very common.
    It’s very stressful trying to keep cats safe.

    • Cindy Shepard says:

      Dee, even if it is a disgruntled tenant that wrote the letter, according to the article in USA Today, it says that people saw dead cats when going to the property. There is some type of cruelty going on in that trailer park. I’m a believer in where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

      • Dee (Florida) says:

        Understand completely, Cindy.
        But, it’s nearly impossible to nail the culprit.
        It happens around me all of the time.
        So many of my inside/outside or outside cats crawling across the yard dying.
        Yes, toxicologies prove the poisonings; but WHO did it?
        I’m almost positive that I know, but how can it be proven?

        • Dee (Florida) says:

          I had my air conditioning unit replaced 3 years ago, and the workers asked me if I knew that I had numerous dead cats underneath where they were doing duct work.
          Again, I ask, how can it be proven?

        • It requires a concerted effort by police to interview people and get search warrants for properties. It takes effort and as far as the police are concerned it isn’t worth the effort.

        • Cindy Shepard says:

          If someone was poisoning my cats, at the least I would install cameras that covered all angles of my property, and further out if possible. Do you have a trusted neighbor that can help you out and keep their ear to the ground about what is happening on your street?

      • Dee (Florida) says:

        Hello, Cindy…
        Need an answer as to how to prove WHO is responsible.
        Not enough to suspect.
        Tell me how to get hard, cold evidence.

      • Dee (Florida) says:

        So, take it to the next level Cindy.
        Show them who is responsible.
        It’s not enough to have dead cats and toxicology reports that confirm poisoning.
        They prove nothing without conclusive evidence that could nail the perpetrator.
        We can’t really call “foul” without proof, can we?

        • Cindy Shepard says:

          Dee, is this directed at me to prove who wrote the letter at the trailer park in Missouri? What is it you are asking me to do or say?

          • Dee (Florida) says:

            What I’m saying is that there is no proof who the letter writer was and no proof who would be causing the death of cats.

            I’ve had security cameras here for over 5 years. It’s well known.
            There are some who have been able to work around them, and I’ll only see an arm dumping a litter of kittens on my deck.

            Poisoning is done off my property, I’m sure.

            Outside cats will wander, and they are subjected to antifreeze or rat poison, drag themselves home, and die. I have had to take many in to be humanely euthanized because of antifreeze.

            Bleeding out from the Coumadin in rat poison is a much quieter, and less painful death. But, I have never been able to reverse it, even with injections of Vitamin K.

            So, what I am saying is that perpetrators are nearly impossible to catch red handed, and that is what’s needed to bust them.

            • Cindy Shepard says:

              Dee, I understand what you are saying and am very sorry for your situation. I hate any kind of animal abuse, especially when we try and define ourselves as the ‘superior’ species, as usually an abuser will do. Even if you believe we have dominion over animals as a God given right, there is a responsibility that comes with that ‘blessing’.

              At this point, I don’t care who wrote the letter. The authorities are aware there are bodies of dead cats, including one that was burned. That is what I am trying to get attention for. The authorities know something is going on and it is up to them to do something about it. It is the lack of concern for the suffering and deaths that will cause this to keep happening. They can come in and protect these cats and I guarantee you if they were serious about pursuing it, it would stop. I want the cats protected first, and then they can concentrate on finding the coward that caused this.

              • Dee (Florida) says:

                As I think you are insinuating, law enforcement really doesn’t care. Nothing will be pursued unless there is a huge public outcry.

                • I would guarantee you that law enforcement don’t care enough to solve the crime. It is about prioritising crimes. This is what happens in the UK. A lot of crime is just not investigated and crimes against animals are automatically low down on the list of priorities.

        • Cindy Shepard says:

          Dee, I don’t know what you mean by telling me to take it to the next level. I am 700 miles away from this situation. I live in Texas, the cats are being killed in Missouri. What is it you think I should be doing?

          • Dee (Florida) says:

            Sorry if I misunderstood.
            I thought what you were writing about was the ease of catching the crooks and felt you should relay your knowledge to Miswsouri authorities, for whatever good that would do.

  7. Ahsan ul Haq says:

    I need only one to two weeks to gather them in one place and socialize them with me 🙁 very strange and sorry for the feral friends. 🙁

  8. Ruth aka Kattaddorra says:

    How very cruel this is, poisoning cats is punishing and killing them for no crime. The idiots who caused the feral problem in the first place by abandoning un-neutered cats are to blame! I just hope someone over there can get those cats to safety before any more suffer.

  9. Cindy Shepard says:

    Fyi, I have tagged Becky Robinson with Alley Cat Allies on my FB page. I am outraged that this situation in Reeds Spring, Missouri is publicly advertised and no one has come to the defense of these cats.

    • “They’re only cats” seems to be the motto. The police are not interested.

      • Kylee says:

        They are not just only Cats. If it was Dogs Im sure there be an Outrage. SO sad Poor Cats and Kitties. Hope Some can be Saved or Rescued.

        • Cindy Shepard says:

          I have to agree with you Kylee, especially in the USA. Cats are second class citizens in the shelters, and on the streets. If someone was threatening to poison dogs, I think you would have seen some of the large animal advocacy organizations step up and try to help.

          • Ruth aka Kattaddorra says:

            Yes same if vets were declawing dogs, there would be a huge outcry!

          • Some people see feral cat as pests barely better than rats. As usual they forget that people created them and owe a duty towards them.

          • Kylee says:

            It’s really a Sad World for Cats. It makes me feel so sad for people around the world Including here in NZ. I know Dogs get a Bad Deal too. But i believe Cats really do have it harder. I believe alot of Ferrel Cats were domesticated Loving Cats, before People Dumped them or Got Rid of them. I felt Very Down Last night so had to have an early Night. Sometimes I feel when Cats get a hard time It really affects me so much.

    • Dee (Florida) says:

      Thank you for your efforts, Cindy.
      It’s just so common that no one pays attention anymore.

  10. Elisa says:

    Can you get ahold of one of the letters? I want to tackle this one some more.

    • Elisa, you might see part of the letter in one of the videos. I guess you could telephone the trailer park and ask to speak with Bill who has been there for 18 years. He has the letter and he does not like it.

  11. Cindy Shepard says:

    Has Alley Cat Allies heard about this situation? Isn’t intentionally causing suffering and the death of a companion animal illegal? Does anyone know if any of the national animal welfare organizations has stepped in to stop this cruelty?

    • It is amazing how criminal illegality concerning animals quietly becomes acceptable and almost legal. The person who issued the letter probably knew he would be able to get away with it.

    • Judy Hausler says:

      This is extremely cruel and needs to be addressed. Has the media in this city been contacted? We all need to call and send emails and keep doing it until the killing of innocent
      animals is stopped

      • Thanks Judy. Good idea. I don’t think the media have been contacted. The police should do more to catch the person who wrote the letter who surely must be the trailer park owner or manager. The investigation is all so perfunctory demonstrating a complete disregard for enforcement of animal welfare laws. That is the sense I get from the story.

        • Cindy Shepard says:

          It was actually the media in that area that reported it so they are definitely aware of it. The Humane Society of The Branson Tri Lakes Area is the organization I contacted that serves that area. They are closed on Mondays and will not be in until tomorrow. If you are reading this and are in America, please call them tomorrow and ask what action they are going to take to protect the cats?
          417-272-8113
          I could only leave a message, and I would bet the bank I will not get a return phone call, as requested.

          • Thanks Cindy. You’re right. I guess I meant that the media were not aware of the need to instigate a movement to do justice.

            • Cindy Shepard says:

              It said that the humane society came out, investigated and left? That obviously is a useless crew if even the reporter said he saw dead cats. Poisoning of cats is a felony and I don’t understand how local law enforcement can turn their heads to this. Legally or morally. It must be a good ole boys network in the Ozarks!

              • Cindy Shepard says:

                More uselessness today. After countless phone calls and receiving no information from the people I did talk to, I was told the investigating humane society is not the local one. Investigation is ongoing by the Humane Society of Missouri and of course, no one can comment because they are still “investigating”. Their number is
                314-647-4400.

                Their suggestion was to watch for updates at their website at
                http://www.hsmo.org

                I could find nothing on their website and I am hoping they will help these poor cats. I was told that if HSMO traps the cats, there is space for them at the Tri-Lakes Shelter. Will update if I hear anything.

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