Mutilated cat found near campus could be part of string

The recent discovery of a mutilated, dead cat near campus has led officials to question whether the crime is related to an April incident where four maimed kittens were found dead in front of the library.

The Oregon Humane Society (OHS) is conducting a joint investigation with Campus Public Safety to find out who committed the killing of the cat found last Thursday and who committed the kitten killings in late April. They are offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. There are currently no suspects.

An autopsy by Dr. Kris Otteman, OHS Director of Shelter Medicine, of the body found May 29, showed that the black and white adult male cat was likely a house cat and not a stray because it was neutered.

The cat was found at the northeast corner of Market and 11th, a few blocks from the April 22 discovery of four mutilated and tortured female kittens, believed to be from the same litter, and found in the bushes next to the Branford P. Millar Library.

OHS believes the incidents may be related because wounds on the recently killed cat are consistent with wounds on the kittens.

“Violent crimes against animals don’t happen in isolation,” OHS Executive Director Sharon Harmon said in a press release. “They are usually undertaken by someone with a serious mental condition who eventually commits violence against another person.”

David Lytle, public information manager for OHS, said releasing specific information about the locations of the found cats, and details of their physical descriptions, could help lead them to the culprit.

“The biggest clue we can go with right now is by having someone claim ownership of their cat,” Lytle said.

In a press release, Otteman said she has never witnessed such malicious animal cruelty.

“These cats were ruthlessly attacked and killed by someone with utter disregard for the pain they inflicted,” she said. “It’s difficult to imagine how someone could do this to an animal.”

Lytle said that one possible conclusion is that the cats could have been killed at another location and brought to campus as a scare tactic.

“Often people who commit these crimes like to joke or brag about it,” Lytle said. “Hopefully someone may have heard something and can provide us with a bit of insight.”

Campus Public Safety is currently trying to gather information from the PSU community and trying to find out who, or whom, could be responsible.

“We are hoping that we will get some more leads and catch somebody,” said Campus Public Safety Chief Michael Soto.

The recent crimes are a first in recent PSU history, according to Soto.

“In my 29 years here this is the first time I’ve taken a report on animal abuse,” he said.

Details on the crimesFour kittens were found April 22 at 1875 S.W. Park Ave, near the PSU library. All four kittens were female, approximately 3-4 months of age, and were likely from the same litter. The description of each kitten follows:–Domestic medium haired tabby, predominantly brown/black with silver undercoat.–Medium haired mixed brown/black tabby with lighter colored brown rear feet.–Solid dark gray color, blending toward black.–Brown tabby markings with white abdomen and paws.

If you have information on the recent incidents, leave a message for OHS at 503-285-7722, extension 412.

Knowingly torturing an animal, or aggravated animal abuse, is a felony in Oregon and can lead to as much as five years in jail and a $125,000 fine.