Torturing of kittens horrifies constable

Photo / Martin Sykes

The torturing of two kittens has angered Waikouaiti police, who are determined to track down those responsible.

One kitten had one ear cut off, the other partially cut off and a broken hind leg.

The second kitten, also with its ears cut off, was found dead.

In his monthly newsletter to the Waikouaiti community, Constable Jon Paul Tremain said police were notified on May 17 that two cats had died after being tortured.

The nature of the injuries was "so disturbing" that Mr Tremain said he was not prepared to describe it in his newsletter.

Dunedin SPCA inspector Julie Richardson said she was contacted on May 16 by a Waikouaiti vet who said a member of the public had found the seriously injured kitten and had taken it to the vet.

It had since died. She was told another two cats had been found squashed on the road.

It was unclear if any of the incidents were related, but the two ear- cutting incidents at least were on the extreme end of animal abuse.

It was rare to have such abuse reported in Dunedin, Ms Richardson said.

Mr Tremain said he was appalled by what he had seen.

"[I] cannot understand how anyone could abuse an animal like this," he said.

He added that he had since received information indicating more cats or kittens might have been abused.

He appealed for information on people who could have carried out the attacks.

- Otago Daily Times