News

At least six pet cats have been found dead, some hung from trees, at Navy Park in South Dunedin. The ongoing suspicious deaths have occurred since December 2012, with the latest cat being found on Saturday 27 April of this year.

Senior Constable Ruth Parsons says, “We’ve had this sort of thing with cats from time to time, but not found them hanging from a tree.” She believes “it is a wee bit of a concern. If they’re willing to do that to animals, then it can lead on to other things.”

The incident was reported on the Dunedin Police Facebook page, asking the public to report any suspicious behaviour. Responses on the page included “Sicko needs to be caught”; “That’s just effen sick!” and the exceptionally insightful “I bet hu evas doin it is on k2.”

The latest victim was Smoky, who was found hanging from a tree by his owner, Murray Shieffelbien. In light of the fact that Murray has been the finder and reporter of all six dead cats, a Facebook user commented that “serial killers often inject themselves into an investigation.” Critic has been assured that Murray is not the subject of suspicion.

SPCA Otago inspector Julie Richardson says it is “sickening,” however “we don’t know how they died. The cats might have been found dead by the person who decided to hang them.”

The wilful mistreatment of animals can result in up to five years’ imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, or both.

There has been a nationwide increase in cat deaths since Gareth Morgan’s controversial anti-cat campaign began. His “Cats to Go” website includes statements such as “your cat is not innocent,” and “the fact is that your furry friend is actually a friendly neighbourhood serial killer.” So as to avoid looking like a killer himself, Morgan’s site does include “we don’t suggest you knock your favourite furry friend on the head.” Critic feels this statement does not make up for the whole website’s cat-hating philosophy, although we’ve become dog people ourselves since hanging Howie Staples late last year.

Richardson says the case is still open, but “nothing has come to light.” She urges people to “keep their cats inside at night,” and to get in contact if they see anything suspicious.