Police investigating after remains of multiple cats found

“Our staff are really, really strong about doing that sort of thing. It’s not an easy task for people to take on. But they are well trained and we assessed them with bylaw present.” Said APARC’s general manager Kaylyn Genio.

Genio added that no tags or microchips were located during the assessment.

The remains are currently being examined for the cause of death.

Currently, the police are not deeming it a criminal investigation without a confirmed cause of death, but are calling it suspicious.

“It’s not a usual thing to find disposed, decease animals inside the city in that manner. It’s obviously a human being disposed of them and packaged them into a trash bin. We need to determine what the cause of death was.” Said patrol Staff Sergeant Kelsey Fraser.

Fraser says if the results confirm that the death of the cats was caused by a human, it’s a very troubling case.

“That type of behaviour in any community is unacceptable. And that’s why it’s in the criminal code. You can’t endanger, maim, wound, or kill an animal. It’s a criminal offence. They are protected too as they should be. If somebody took these steps to hurt animals then they need to be held accountable and will be.” He said.

Genio says that the community has been extremely supportive of APARC, but that some extreme cases are becoming more regular.

Earlier in the month, three cats were found abounded in a carrier left in a hotel room.

“They were covered in feces and just head to toe neglect that are now recovering here. They are doing well, pending vetting. And then we’ve had a dog and a cat abandoned in an apartment as well that are in critical shape too.” Genio described. “So that whole animals are not disposal, they are a part of our family is something that we really need to look at hard as a community.”

Genio says that dealing with these cases can take a toll on APARC’s staff.

“These are hardworking people that need to do these kinds of jobs and still be able to go home to their families at the end of the night. And then come back to work and be strong throughout doing this whole thing. It is hard for the community to kind of recognize that in a person. But this is the kind of thing we deal with on a day to day basis.” She explained.

Fraser says he is not sure how long the examination will take.

“We’re at the whim of the professionals and we don’t want to rush those folks. So when they are ready to tell us they will and we will go forth from there.”

If residents come across an injured or possibly deceased animal, they are asked to call bylaw at 403-529-8481.

by Hayley Ferguson

Police investigating after remains of multiple cats found

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