Gruesome cat deaths disturb residents

Photo / supplied

Several gruesome dead cats have been found this week draped over the rail guard and fences near the main road leading to Tapora, east of Kaipara Harbour, disturbing the residents of the small community.

"It's really horrible, it gave me and my mum a real shock," said local Kim Powley, 19.

"We were driving on our way to Tapora, and a small black cat was hung over a guard rail. We were shocked but assumed that maybe someone hit it and put it there, so the owners would know what happened to it.

"But about one kilometre from entering Tapora, another cat, black as well, was hung in the same way from a farmer's fence. This road is a school bus route and these animals were on display for all to see. We were disgusted, as obviously it was no coincidence."

She said she has seen nine dead cats since the first ones on Tuesday. They were all hung up along the main road heading into Tapora, which is also the school bus route.

Ms Powley said the cats were not collared, and that a lot of wild cats in the area were shot.

"That does happen here, but hanging them up on the fence for everyone to see is not right."

She was so disturbed that she didn't want to take a closer look to see how the cats had been killed.

"I was too shocked after I saw one's eye hanging out. I couldn't look at them after that. Another had its intestines stuck to the fence."

She had not contacted police, but said the community was upset by what was happening.

"It has caused a lot of disruption in the community and rumour has it that it is a local.

"We just want it to stop."