Posted on 09/08/2016 1:59:43 AM PDT by Red Badger
ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) – A dozen neighborhood cats have recently died or disappeared in downtown Arlington, and many business owners are turning to police for help because they suspect foul play.
“These cats of Main Street had a home,” said Sarah Hughes, who works nearby.
A long row of white crosses covers two streets along Main Street in Arlington. Each cross represents a feral cat that has either gone missing or has been found dead in recent weeks. Hughes stopped next to a cross with the word “missing” crossed out. It has been replaced with “R.I.P.”
“This was one of our missing momma cats,” Hughes explained. “We found her deceased under one of these businesses.”
For more than a decade, the community of business owners and employees along Main Street has cared for the colony of feral cats that call the area home. They make sure that the cats have plenty of food and water. And, through its trap-neuter-return program, the Friends of Arlington Animal Shelter has also ensured that the cats are vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
Hughes said that the cats even provide a service to their community — helping keep the rodent population down.
But, in the past two weeks, the cats have stopped coming around to their food bowls. Neighbors have reported finding a dozen of them dead, and many more missing. Suspecting foul play, one business owner filed a police report.
Neighbors said that threats had previously been made by someone in the community. Hughes said, “Something to the effect of ‘What would you do if your cats came up missing or dead?'”
Neighbors also noticed that the food in their cat bowls had recently been switched out. It may have been tampered with. “I’m pretty sure they’re poisoning them. Either putting rat poison or antifreeze — which is really easy to get,” Hughes said.
With less than a handful of cats left — perhaps just two — the group who cares for them is afraid that they will continue having to add crosses to an already long row on Main Street.
“Why would someone even do that? I mean, they weren’t bothering anybody,” Hughes said. “They’re well taken care of.”
This community of downtown Arlington neighbors has started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for a large reward. It is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of whoever is responsible for killing the cats. CBS 11 News is also waiting to hear back from the Arlington Police Department regarding this case.
Today cats... Soon people.
Guys like this are a danger to society and should be put away for everyone’s good.
I want to know more about this neighbor who was making threats. Sounds like some hidden cams need to go up.
I hate teachers.
Guys like this are a danger to society and should be put awaydown for everyone’s good.
There. Fixed. ;)
Could be a disease, the missing cats went off and died.
Can’t they have a vet autopsy the dead cats to see if there’s any evidence of them being poisoned?
My boss’s wife was jumped on by a feral cat and deeply bitten on her neck. She had just turned her back after putting down several bowls of cat food. Cats (especially feral) can’t seem to lose that spark that “grown cats” (Cougars and Tigers) have out west and the subcontinent of India. (Attacking from behind).
Right.
I tried my best to find a home for them, because if they had stayed, I would have eventually killed them. It is only a matter of time before they start fighting with my pets, attacking my ducks, killing friendly critters, or otherwise being disruptive. In addition, they carry diseases that I don't want my pets or my family exposed to. For those equating killing feral cats to a serial killer of humans-- you are mentally ill. It is entirely possible to love animals and people and still exterminate pests without a second thought. I shoot coyotes and wild dogs on sight too, but absolutely love my dogs like my own family.
They should autopsy the cats to find out the agent used to kill them, then set up game cameras focused on the area where the feral cats are. Let them catch this piece of sick excrement and then force whatever poison they used on the cats down their own throat, in mass quantities. Those poor kitties likely had a miserable death at the hands of a human, after they put their trust in humans for their food. To betray that precious trust and subject them to pain and death is unforgivable.
TX, VA, TN, WA, IL . . .
Did a new Chinese restaurant recently open in the area?
Any new chinese restaurants open in the area? Ok I know Im going to be in the minority here but ferel cats are a nuisance and need taken out by any means.Owners of cats that let them run loose should know better as well.I dont want your nasty cat in my yard.
You mean necropsy, of course.
Only humans can be autopsied.
See post #16.
Well said.
Could be someone who likes birds or other native wildlife. Feral cats kill lots of small animals. Even if they are well fed.
new chinese restaurant going up?
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