York police investigate after 6 severed cat heads found in Whitchurch-Stouffville
Posted October 3, 2013 1:35 pm.
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*Warning: This story contains disturbing details.*
STOUFFVILLE, Ont. – Cat owners in Whitchurch-Stouffville are being warned to keep their pets indoors after six severed cat heads were found in a one-kilometre area around Tenth Line and Main Street.
York Regional Police said Thursday there have been six recent incidents where cat heads and, in one case, other body parts of a dismembered cat, were found in public locations, one of them near a daycare.
Police believe the dismemberments were done intentionally and do not believe the cats were killed by a predatory animal.
“Of great concern to us is the pattern of it,” said Const. Andy Pattenden.
“Six incidents all similar in nature. That’s what’s alarming to us and that’s why we’re getting out to the public as soon as we can with this information,” he said.
The first incident was reported Aug. 12 when a cat’s head and two legs were found near a daycare.
Five other cat heads were found during the next few weeks, with one being found near a school, and the last incident was reported on Sept. 13, when a homeowner found her cat’s head in front of her residence.
In five of the six incidents, just the cat’s head was found, usually on or near a curb, Pattenden said. No torsos were found and there was no sign of any blood.
The Ontario SPCA and town officials are investigating also.
Residents of the area are being urged to keep pets indoors or under supervision.
“We’re asking members of the community to please keep your animals indoors. If they are outside, please keep them within sight. Always know where your animals are,” Brad Dewar of the Ontario SPCA said.
Residents whose pets have gone missing over the past month or two are urged to call animal control.
