The Calgary Humane Society is investigating a string of animal abuse incidents in the city, including the death of a kitten.
The animal welfare organization says on Monday, its peace officers were alerted to a dead kitten that was zip-tied to a fence in the southwest Calgary community of Kingsland.
After examination by a vet, the kitten was found to have suffered blunt force trauma to the head and abdomen.
The humane society says this is the most recent and egregious in a series of similar events in the Sandy Beach/Kingsland area over the summer.
Since, May 30, six kittens, all in the range of six to eight weeks old, have been found in public spaces in various levels of distress, the organization says.
In several of the cases, the kittens’ paws have been tied and they’ve been covered in a tar-like substance.
“These victims could not be more vulnerable,” said humane society director of enforcement, Brad Nichols. “It is incredibly concerning to see an isolated incident of this nature, let alone half a dozen.
“Given the link between animal abuse and interpersonal violence, this concern transcends animal welfare.”
Calgary Humane Society peace officers are looking for information from the public, as there are no witnesses or surveillance footage of the incident.
If anyone knows where these kittens have come from or who is responsible for the abuse, the human society wants to know. Those with information are encouraged to phone the call centre at 403-205-4455 or submit an online report at calgaryhumane.ca
The group is also reminding Calgarians to keep their cats inside.
“There is a bylaw prohibiting cats from running at large, but this may serve as a worst-case scenario on the risks posed to roaming cats, which would also include traffic, predation and disease,” the humane society added.