Cat owners, advocates believe 'cat killers' are targeting pets in Winnipeg

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Cat owners are on edge in Winnipeg, as advocates believe someone out there is killing pet cats.

When Juliyana Alviz’s family let her one-year-old cat Jaden outside to play, they didn’t think it would be the last time they would see him alive.

“Literally, evil can be anywhere,” Alviz told CTV News. “Never in my life did I imagine that this neighbourhood would be unsafe.”

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When Jaden didn’t return home, Alviz started to get worried. That worry turned into a nightmare when Alviz’s family found the cat Sunday, dead in a garbage bin near their Garden City home.

Necropsy report shows cat died due to a predator attack 

Based on its injuries, they believed the cat was drowned and strangled. However, a necropsy report later determined the cat had been killed by a predator or dog.

But Alvis’s family said questions remain – how the cat wound up wrapped in a plastic bag in the garbage bin.

“He was so cute. How could you do that to such a cute little innocent thing?” Alviz said through tears.

Juliyana Alviz holding her cat Jaden in an undated photo. Uploaded Sept. 25, 2024. (Juliyana Alviz)

It’s a concern shared by Krista Blahut in the Point Douglas area. She said in the past month, she’s found five cats along the river that have been mutilated or dismembered.

She does not believe an animal is responsible for these deaths.

“I think someone who's unwell has been harming, mutilating, killing these cats,” Blahut told CTV News.

“We have gotten reports too about other cats that have died in similar manners, just all around the Pritchard, Point Douglas area.”

The Winnipeg Police Service confirmed it has received “a few” reports of dead cats being found.

“We have been in contact with Animal Services and are continuing to investigate,” a spokesperson for police said in an email.

The city’s Animal Services confirmed it has received two reports regarding dismembered cats in the Point Douglas area over the last month.

Blahut said it’s not just the Point Douglas area.

“There have been cases all over the city over time and recently, so it's definitely not safe anywhere,” she said, adding she fears there will be more if something isn’t done soon.

“It's just absolutely not safe on the streets right now. And I just want to figure out who's doing this, and hopefully have it stop.”

'Please don’t let your babies outside': owner pleads to keep pets indoors

The Winnipeg Humane Society was not available for an interview, but provided a statement to CTV News.

“We have not seen any of these alleged cases through our Intake department and it is my understanding (Investigation and Emergency Response department) has not received any firsthand complaints,” the statement reads. “As many of the rescues are stating, we always recommend keeping cats inside for many safety reasons.”

It’s a call being echoed by Alviz and her family.

“All I want is to please don’t let your babies outside,” she said. “I wouldn't have let my cat out. It just sucks that he was a victim to those cat killers. Like, I never imagined like this area was unsafe.”

Alviz has reported the death of her cat to police, Animal Services and the Winnipeg Humane Society. She is still waiting for answers.

Winnipeg police said there were no updates to the investigation as of Friday. Animal Services deferred comment to police. 

“Everything is just like going in circles, and I just want justice.”

The Winnipeg Humane Society said anyone with concerns about animal abuse within the city can call the Animal Welfare Line at 204-982-2028.