Cat killers prowl North End, feline owners urged to keep cats indoors

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Winnipeg’s community of cat owners is on high alert after a spate of violent attacks on felines in a couple inner-city neighborhoods. Some were found severely injured, others dead and dismembered, with only one case ruled as a criminal matter thus far.

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In the last 10 days, numerous cat rescue and support groups have been urging residents to keep their pets indoors due to the unspeakable abuse the animals have suffered. “Residents living in north Point Douglas, William Whyte, and the north end bounded by Mountain, Dufferin, Main and Artillery — BRING YOUR CATS INDOORS! NOW!” Facebook members of Winnipeg Lost Cat Assistance were told.

“For 12 years, WLCA has been advocating that cats stay indoors, and we have seen spates of harmed cats here and there over the years, but never a string of them so close in area, so many and found in the same condition,” the administrators later added.

“We are encouraged that news media as well as authorities are taking this seriously.”

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The North End incidents include five cats discovered along the river by Krista Blahut that were mutilated and dismembered.

“One was on a small trail, one closer to the river on a bike path, one closer to the main sidewalk by the community center. The others weren’t in the park but in Point Douglas,” she tells the Sun. “There were also 2 that went to Animal Services, but I wasn’t able to obtain info on where exactly they were, but they were in Point Douglas.”

“It seems like the Point Douglas ones are all in a fairly concentrated area.” Blahut is focused on finding whoever is responsible and making our streets safe again.

There were persistent claims of mutilated cats being left in playgrounds and splash pads this summer across the Red River in Elmwood. A male cat was found on September 18th “dismembered intentionally” in the 300 block of Alfred Avenue, across Main Street from Point Douglas. Another dead cat was found on the sidewalk at Selkirk and Charles St. last Friday afternoon.

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On September 26th police were called to the 400 block of Simcoe in the West End about a dead cat. “It was suspicious in nature,” a police spokesperson told CTV News in an email. “Police are investigating this one along with other suspicious cat deaths in the city.”

A Sun reader on Ingersoll claims there was a pattern of suspicious cat deaths in the West End in June. “It was about six of them,” Alma Jones says, recalling 3 were on one street.

In a statement to CTV on September 25th, the Winnipeg Humane Society advised: “We have not seen any of these alleged cases through our Intake department and it is my understanding (Investigation and Emergency Response department) has not received any firsthand complaints.”

One horrific death in Garden City was first believed to be at human hands, but an autopsy found that a mauling by 2 dogs was responsible. There is still no explanation, however, as to how the Alviz family’s pet ended up inside a plastic bag, dumped into their garbage bin.

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“I was told of a couple disturbing cat deaths in St. Vital recently as well,” Blahut says.

“It seems like the Point Douglas ones are all in a fairly concentrated area. I’m aware of other cat killings throughout the city over the years, but this seems to be more of an active serial killer situation given how many victims there has been in such a short period of time. That’s the issue though, animal abuse unfortunately is prevalent in Winnipeg, and society as a whole.”

“It’s scary to think how many there could be and there seems to be a new case every other day, unfortunately.”

“Part of the issue is that there are SO many outside cats, owned and strays, which make them an easy, vulnerable target,” Blahut explains.

Blahut maintains that “Winnipeg and the Manitoba government need to step up their enforcement of the pet bylaws, as well as making spay/neutering accessible and affordable for everyone.”

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Citing “countless feral cat colonies as well,” she notes, “there’s some very dedicated people in this city who work tirelessly to rescue the abundance of kittens born outside, but it’s an endless cycle. A lot of us feel hopeless and can never seem to get ahead. We need more resources to tackle this issue.”

Winnipeg Lost Cat Assistance is encouraging folks in different neighborhoods to print out flyers “to make sure everyone is aware and armed with good information… we might be able to save more lives.”

If you find a deceased cat, you can call Winnipeg police non-emergency line and the Winnipeg Humane Society Cruelty Investigations 204-982-2028. If you find an injured cat, call the WHS at 204-982-2020. Krista Blahut can also be contacted via cat.action.team.wpg@gmail.com

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