Cops probing 2nd cat killing

2005-05-30 12:29

Durban - Police and the SPCA were on Monday investigating an incident in which a cat was strangled and thrown into a garden at the Bluff yacht club in Durban at the weekend.

"We have taken photographs, we have a report from the vet and a docket has been opened. There are also several witnesses willing to come forward," said Jackie Dewar, an inspector at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

She said the suspect would be questioned and if necessary a warrant for his arrest would be issued.

The incident was reported to police and the cat's owner after a security guard at the yacht club heard the cat - named Peanut - screaming and went to investigate.

The cat's owner Chris Rawlinson said when he confronted Peanut's alleged killer on Saturday afternoon the man claimed that the cat had tried to steal his food.

"I'm devastated. He was like my child. He was with me for five years. Everyone around the [yacht] club knew him and liked him because he was a real gentleman cat and not the type that would steal," said Rawlinson.

Dewar said the SPCA in Durban received 500 to 600 reports of animal cruelty per month.

Microwaved cat

Meanwhile, there was still no progress in the search for those who microwaved a live cat in a communal kitchen at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Pinewood residence.

Pinetown's SPCA inspector Roland Fivaz said he would conduct individual interviews with the 49 men living in the residence this week.

Although a reward of R32 000 was offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction, he had received several e-mails from the students saying they had been threatened against coming forward with information by other students living in the residence.

One of the students said "his life is not worth it", Fivaz said.

However, some of the students had come forward and said they were willing to undergo lie detector tests.

- SAPA