Keep cats inside, warns humane society after string of killings, mutilations
Cat owners in Calgary are being told to keep their pets inside after a string of recent incidents where cats have been found mutilated, injured or killed.
The joint warning from Calgary police, the Calgary Humane Society and Animal and Bylaw Services was issued on Monday.
"Calgary Humane Society Protections Officers have investigated the unusual or suspicious deaths of 12 outdoor cats this year alone," the organization said in a release.
Cats are better off inside in any case, says Brad Nichols, the society's senior manager of animal cruelty and investigations.
"While some cat owners will argue depriving a cat of outdoor freedom decreases its' quality of life, the reality is quite the opposite. There are a multitude of dangers posed to cats allowed to wander at will," he said.
"Cats at large are also prime targets for cruelty, whether that be trapping and inappropriate disposal or easy targets for those looking to abuse animals."
Two cats in as many weeks had to be put down earlier this summer because their spines had been severed, likely by having their tails pulled until they broke. The incidents happed in Killarney and Glamorgan.
Depriving a cat of adequate food, water or shelter is an offense under the Animal Protection Act. Allowing a cat to run at large is an offense under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw.
