A St. Albert veterinary clinic is offering a $1,000 reward for the conviction of those responsible for the mutilation of cats in the St. Albert and Edmonton area.
This comes after two badly mutilated cats were found in St. Albert in late August. One cat was discovered in a field near Elmer S. Gish school in the Akinsdale neighbourhood, while the other one was found in Sable Park near Salisbury Avenue.
Other mutilated cats were reported to police in north Edmonton earlier that month. The St. Albert RCMP does not believe the cats’ deaths were natural and are investigating.
“At this point, it does not appear like this is an issue of another animal coming into contact with these cats,” said Const. Yelena Avoine in a previous interview.
La Maison des Chats, a cat exclusive veterinary clinic in St. Albert, is now offering the reward and putting up posters in the areas where the cats were found. Clinic personnel hope this will help the police find the person or persons responsible.
The RCMP meanwhile asks the owners of cats and small pets to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activity. The Edmonton Humane Society has not yet become involved in the investigation but is also urging pet owners to ensure their animals are kept safe and secure.
“We were shocked and dismayed to learn of these recent severe animal cruelty cases in our region,” said CEO Miranda Jordan-Smith.
The Humane Society is mandated to enforce Alberta’s Animal Protection Act, which covers animals in distress due to neglect or abuse. Wilful acts of cruelty are covered by the Criminal Code of Canada.
The St. Albert RCMP asks that anyone with information about the two mutilated cats and the person or persons involved in this crime contact them at 780-458-7700, or if you wish to remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
The Edmonton Humane Society can be reached at 780-491-3517 but cases of animal cruelty outside of Edmonton must be reported to the Alberta SPCA at 1-800-455-9003.
