Weatherford residents are on high alert after recent animal deaths, and police have opened an investigation regarding the situation.
On October 30th, Animal Control Officers were dispatched to 101 NW Main Street in reference to Animal Cruelty. Two feral cats were found and transported to an animal hospital, where a veterinarian concluded one of the felines may have ingested anti-freeze. Since then, several more feral cats have been found deceased in the area, and they also may have drunk anti-freeze.
On November 1st, Animal Control Officers were dispatched to an alleyway between NW 5th and 6th street for a report of animal cruelty. They found a deceased feline, and an officer conducted a visual inspection and determined the cat was attacked by another animal, and the incident is not believed to be related to the first incident.
The owner of the cat, Audrey Edwards, said in a KFOR interview that the cat was found with her head and collar missing from the rest of her body. Edwards said that she thinks something else is going on.
“I’ve seen a couple of months back of comments of people saying like cats’ jaws being broken, their skin. They’re being poisoned with antifreeze, dogs covered in gasoline. I think somebody’s out there doing something, and I feel like it needs to be looked into,” Edwards said.
Edwards added more detail in a Facebook comment left on a post from the Weatherford Police Department.
“Ever seen an animal rip the head off a cat yet there’s no blood where she was found? Has an animal also taken the collar? Ever seen an animal make a single clean cut down the abdomen yet again no blood ? Ever seen an animal let the guts spill out without a single bite or claw mark? Ever seen an animal not leave a single drag mark? I looked at Penny’s paw/claws in the hopes maybe she fought back, nothing. Penny was a feisty 13lb cat, there would have been a fight if it was an animal. She trusted people and this is a sick person who deliberately did this. Not only our cat, but everyone else’s animals too!!! This is not going to go dismissed.” In another comment, Edwards added, “How long until this escalates to people instead of pets? Do you feel safe in this town?”
Weatherford Police said they have been patrolling the area for suspicious activity. It is an ongoing and active investigation. People with information about this are urged to call the Weatherford Police Department at 580-772-7791.
The Southwestern will share more information as it becomes available.
Read the full WPD press release here:
