[imagesource: WallpaperAccess]

This article contains graphic details that may upset some readers…

Last Monday, we reported on the search for a cat ‘serial killer’ on the loose in Manenberg.

At that stage, at least 11 cats had been killed in a similarly gruesome manner, with a further two dumped outside the local police station.

The Animal Welfare Society of SA (AWS) believes that may have been done to “taunt the authorities”, with the then death toll of 11 representing one of the largest animal killing sprees the Cape Metro has ever witnessed.

A week later, no arrests have been made, and the body count has now ticked over to at least 27 cats.

Some progress has been made, with a formal case of animal cruelty finally opened at Manenberg Police Station.

Below via a July 30 statement from AWS:

Following a concerted effort by the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS SA) and mounting public pressure, yesterday the Manenberg Police Station Commander finally conceded that “his front desk officials got it wrong” and agreed to open a formal case of animal cruelty…

In the meantime we have exhumed the bodies of 3 cats and collected 2 fresh kills and sent them off to the State Veterinary Pathologist at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture for a comprehensive and independent post mortem the results of which will help guide the investigating team and provide valuable forensic evidence.

Allan Perrins, from AWS, says they’re also looking into a lead pointing towards a young man in the area “with a history of brutality towards cats”.

AWS recommended that affected pet owners keep their cats indoors at night, and report any suspicious behaviour to 021 692 2626 or 082 601 1761, or via email to inspector@awscape.org.za.

A reward is also being offered for information that could possibly lead to the arrest and conviction of the cat killer.

Manenberg SAPS officials have been extensively criticised for waiting so long to open a case, but Colonel Sanele Zama says they’re now taking it “very seriously”.

Zama spoke with CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit:

“We took three statements from complainants – someone from the SPCA and two residents whose cats were brutally killed.”

Colonel Zama says one of the complainants told him her cats were ‘like her children’

He says many of the animals killed had their hearts removed, as a result, he says, the police investigation will focus on those in the area who own pitbull dogs.

“We suspect those parts are being fed to the dogs.”

There’s a special place in hell for people who abuse animals.

Hopefully, whoever is responsible is caught soon, and the full might of the law thrown at them.

You can listen to the CapeTalk interview in full below:

[sources:aws&capetalk]