What we can learn from an awful cat-abuse case

October 30, 2009 -

A serial cat abuser and killer is on the loose in the Phoenix area.  Recent headlines announce that the sheriff’s office is investigating several recent “cat mutilations.”  I won’t go into the gory details.  At least 14 kitties have been victimized.  Sadly, two did not survive. This story saddens, angers and frightens me all in one.  Oddly, however, there is a silver lining of sorts, and we’ll get to that in a minute.

It goes without saying that I adore cats and cannot fathom anyone doing anything mean to any cat for any reason.  Beyond that, just imagine – if you can even get your brain to go there – the utterly evil, mixed-up mindset of someone who seems to enjoy using a knife to inflict life-threatening injuries on another living being. 

 We can only hope that law enforcement catches up to this monster before he, or she, harms more innocent pets and then targets other victims, such as people.  There’s a well-documented link between animal abuse and other violent crimes.  Numerous violent offenders, including rapists and serial killers, started out by inflicting harmful control and horrific abuse on animals – cats, in many cases.

Why cats?   I can only speculate that it has something to do with their availability.  There are millions of kitties out there, and a lot of them roam freely outdoors.  They’re an easy target to abuse or kill and then discard.  In far too many cases, nobody notices. 

 There’s no excuse to abuse any cat or any reason.  Specific to this case, my heart breaks into a million pieces when I think about the cats who are victims of this type of horrific, “hands-on” abuse.  Simply put, they’re probably the super nice ones, right?  A truly feral cat (or a cat who’s just scared) won’t let you catch him or hold him down to commit this type of abuse.  My own cats hate it when I try to hold them steady to brush out a knot in their fur or trim their nails.  They see me coming with the clippers and run like the wind.  That means we’re most likely dealing with cats who love and trust people – who seek out affection instead of running and hiding when the stranger approaches, and who probably think they’re going to get a chin scratch or special treat instead of … well, enough said.

So where is that silver lining, you ask?  It comes in the forms of attention, action and education -- all for the overall, long-term good of cats, animals and, really, all of us.

Unlike too many cat-abuse cases from years past, this one is a big deal.  Pet parents are reporting the abuse to police who, in turn, are assigning detectives to the case. Animal welfare groups are offering big cash rewards for the tip that leads to an arrest.  Mainstream media sources are reporting the story.  No one is shrugging their shoulders or dismissing the victims as “… just cats.”  Because they’re not.  They are sentient beings, and innocent victims of a violent crime – one being carried out rather methodically by someone who could pose a threat to people too.

The story is also educating cat owners about the importance of keeping kitties indoors all the time.  That’s also good.  In fact, that’s great.

Right now, the serial cat abuser and killer is on the loose in Phoenix.  But no matter where you live, keep your cat inside every day.  And if you know about anyone hurting cats, or any animals, in your community, alert the police.  You’ll be helping protect and save the lives of innocent animals and, quite possibly, society as a whole.