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John Daley ReportingAnother gruesome discovery today as yet another mutilated animal was found in Salt Lake's Avenues neighborhood.
This makes nine cats and a dog killed--apparently by human hands--within a several block area since May of last year.
This morning the back half of a black and white cat, displayed prominently on the street curb near the corner of 8th Avenue and H Street, was discovered by a passerby.
Over the past year--this area has seen 11 animals killed in a similar fashion--10 cats and a dog--often cut in half.
In this case the cat was apparently cut with a sharp object and there was not a lot of blood at the scene, which might indicate it was killed elsewhere then dumped here.
All of the animals have been found nearby, with five cats found in the vicinity of 8th Avenue and H Street alone, while others were found at the Avenues Cemetery.
Temma Martin, Salt Lake County Animal Services: "They're not only torturing the animal; They are also leaving it in a place that will be shocking and disturbing to the person who finds it. It's definitely a sick person who is doing this."
Colorado is grappling with a similar situation. At least 24 cats have been mutilated in Denver and its suburbs in the past year, including four in Aurora within just the past two weeks.
Police in Salt Lake and Denver are checking the unsolved cases to see whether there's a connection. Meanwhile, animal control officials are urging homeowners here to keep their cats inside.
Also, there is an 85-hundred dollar reward from the Humane Society and Salt Lake City police for information leading to the arrest of whoever is behind these crimes.
