NEW DELHI: A cat killer is seemingly on a rampage in East Mumbai’s Govandi area with close to 20 stray cats living near a makeshift shelter allegedly killed in a brutal manner.
Investigation to trace the killer(s) has begun with an FIR registered at the RCF Police Station under BNS Section 325 (mischief by killing, poisoning, crippling, or hurting any animal so that it becomes useless or disabled) and Sections 11(1)(a) (beating, kicking, or torturing an animal) and 11(1)(l) (physical mutilation of any animal) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
The complaint was filed by Rubina Abdul Malik Pathan, 53, who lives in the area and feeds the stray cats there. According to Pathan, she found four cats “killed very brutally” on 3 September near a makeshift shelter that she made for them under a nearby bridge in the Kamawadi area. Two days later, she found that two more cats had died with injuries suggesting they had been hit on the head with a heavy object and strangulated. She added that there were stab injuries on the cats and glass shards were found lying around the area.
Pathan, who works as a domestic worker, told ThePrint that she has been feeding stray cats in the area for several years. “I also provide their necessary treatment. I have been doing this work for the last 5 to 6 years. I also get them neutered, and people have helped me with that as well.”
She added that similar incidents have happened in the past, and she has lost around 15-20 of the stray cats in the past month, leading to her decision to approach the police. “I was convinced that some unknown person had deliberately and cruelly killed the stray cats in the area. After that, I complained to PETA. I deposited the two dead cats I found at the animal hospital in Parel,” Pathan said.
DCP (east zone) Sameer Shaikh told ThePrint that police found a stray cat and its kitten dead near the Shani Temple in Panjrapol. “Investigation is underway,” he added. Police are now scanning all CCTVs in the neighbourhood and questioning people to identify leads.
Meanwhile, PETA India has announced a reward up to Rs 50,000 for any information on the unknown killer(s). “Those who abuse animals often move on to harming other animals and humans. For everyone’s safety, it’s imperative that members of the public report cruelty to animals such as this one to the police,” said PETA India Cruelty Response Officer Ishani Rathee.
(Edited by Chingkheinganbi Mayengbam)
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