Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Police Investigating Possible Cases Of Animal Cruelty In Fredericton

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Sep, 2015 12:42 PM
    FREDERICTON — Shaun Nixon's concern for his family's missing pet cat named Cuddles turned to anger when he saw her remains — cut in half and posed to look like she was sleeping.
     
    "The cat's head was resting on her front paws as if she was sound asleep. It was definitely posed that way," Nixon said Tuesday from his home in Fredericton.
     
    An increase in the number of missing cats in the Nashwaaksis area of Fredericton, along with indications of possible foul play, has police and SPCA officials encouraging people to keep their pets inside.
     
    Nixon's cat went missing on Sept. 21 and was found by a neighbour two days later, not far from his home.
     
    Cuddles was a stray that was taken in by the family more than a year ago as a pet for Nixon's six-year-old son. The cat bonded with the boy and would sleep with him every night.
     
    Police spokeswoman Alycia Bartlett says the remains of about seven cats have been found in recent weeks and a necropsy on one of them indicates it was probably killed by a human.
     
    "That veterinarian does tell us there is a possibility and a strong likelihood that the cat was intentionally harmed," she said.
     
    Deane Landry of the Stray Bits Animal Advocacy Group said there has been a spike in the number of missing cats in the Nashwaaksis area since July and estimates that more than 35 cats have disappeared.
     
    "It's higher because not everybody takes the time to report their pet missing," she said. "There are probably quite a few that have gone unreported."
     
    Landry said it's clear the Nixons' cat was the victim of foul play.
     
    "There's definitely a human element to it," she said. "There is someone out there that is harming cats."
     
    Hilary Howes, executive director of the SPCA in New Brunswick, said there are likely a number of reasons for the increase in missing or dead cats including predatory animals or being hit by cars.
     
    Howes said he doesn't like to focus on the numbers.
     
    "Social media has a tendency to blow things out of proportion so we try to stay away from doing anything to facilitate that," he said.
     
    Howes is waiting to hear the necropsy results on the Nixons' cat, but the results seem apparent.
     
    "The real indications are that it was done by something other than a wild animal or natural causes," he said.
     
    Howes said he's confident the police investigation will be successful, but pet owners should keep their pets inside for the time being.
     
    As for the Nixons, they've adopted another stray cat as a member of their family.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    No Damage As Moderate Earthquake Shivers Off Northwestern Vancouver Island

    No Damage As Moderate Earthquake Shivers Off Northwestern Vancouver Island
    VANCOUVER — A moderate earthquake has been recorded off the northwest tip of Vancouver Island.

    No Damage As Moderate Earthquake Shivers Off Northwestern Vancouver Island

    Two B.C. Men Face Weapons Charges After Bull Elk Shot And Abandoned: Police

    Two B.C. Men Face Weapons Charges After Bull Elk Shot And Abandoned: Police
    Two men accused of shooting a bull elk and leaving its body behind on Vancouver Island face a list of firearms offences.

    Two B.C. Men Face Weapons Charges After Bull Elk Shot And Abandoned: Police

    Scholarship Still Honouring B.C. Soldier 99 Years After His Death

    Scholarship Still Honouring B.C. Soldier 99 Years After His Death
    Jack McMillan's death on a European battlefield 99 years ago resulted in a heartbreak so profound that it's still felt by those who win a scholarship created in his name.

    Scholarship Still Honouring B.C. Soldier 99 Years After His Death

    TransCanada Warns Layoffs Coming As Oil Downturn Squeezes Customers

    Employees at TransCanada were informed this week that more job cuts are coming as part of a major overhaul that includes shedding a fifth of senior leadership positions from the pipeline and energy company.

    TransCanada Warns Layoffs Coming As Oil Downturn Squeezes Customers

    All-You-Can-Eat Bacon A Chance To Chow Down And Raise Cash For A Good Cause

    All-You-Can-Eat Bacon A Chance To Chow Down And Raise Cash For A Good Cause
    Many outdoor fundraisers require some measure of physical exercise — a three- or five-kilometre run, a brisk walk or perhaps a gruelling bike ride.

    All-You-Can-Eat Bacon A Chance To Chow Down And Raise Cash For A Good Cause

    Basil Borutski, Accused Of Killing Three Ontario Women Had Past Brushes With Law

    Basil Borutski, Accused Of Killing Three Ontario Women Had Past Brushes With Law
    Basil Borutski, the man charged with first-degree murder in the slayings of three women in eastern Ontario, has a criminal history that includes allegations and convictions of violent behaviour toward his ex-wife and former girlfriends.

    Basil Borutski, Accused Of Killing Three Ontario Women Had Past Brushes With Law