Gang feeds cats to killer dogs

GARDAÍ are investigating claims that a gang of blood-thirsty cat killers are kidnapping pets and throwing them to packs of ferocious dogs.

An animal care group says it has information from one of the gang that may point to up to 40 cats being killed in this way in the past two weeks.

The group has recovered the remains of two cats “which were torn to pieces” in a harbour town and reported it to gardaí.

Cork Animal Care Society (CACS) chairman Albert Kleyn said alarms bells started ringing when a large number of cats started disappearing in Cobh, Co Cork.

“We have a group of teenagers, aged 14 to 17, running around the town capturing cats, sometimes in traps, and then throwing them to a pack of dogs. The dogs in question are now blooded and highly dangerous. The next time it could be a toddler that’s torn apart,” said Mr Kleyn.

He said a number of society members lived in Cobh and were carrying out their own investigation.

“One of our members caught a member of the gang who eventually told the story. He said that there were around eight teenagers involved. They think it's fun. It makes you wonder about the mindset of teenagers who would get involved in something like this,” Mr Kleyn said.

“There is overwhelming evidence to prove that many serial killers have started off experimenting with torturing and killing animals. These teenagers have to be brought to book,” he added.

While cats often stray, CACS members became concerned when a large number of “missing” posters started appearing around the town.

Mr Kleyn said at the latest count there were around 36 cats on the missing list, although the true figure might be far higher.

“For somebody elderly and living alone, losing their only companion in this way is extremely distressing. There are a number of very upset people in the town.”

A Garda spokesman confirmed that complaints had been made by local people and these allegations are being investigated.