More mutiliated cats in Avenues

Another possible cat mutilation was discovered in the Avenues over the weekend.

A severed cat was discovered in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, marking the fifth incident since the end of May.

Only the top half of the cat was found, said Salt Lake County Animal Services spokeswoman Temma Martin.

Investigators are still leaning toward the theory that a person is responsible for the attacks. But they haven't completely discounted the idea that another animal may be responsible.

"If there's one that looks like an animal mauling, it could be this one," Martin said based on the fact the injuries of this cat are different from the other four.

But Martin said the cuts are so straight that it's hard to imagine an animal could be responsible. She added that it seemed unlikely a predator would travel that far down the Avenues even though the cemetery is next to the foothills.

The fact a mutilated cat was found in the cemetery raises suspicions that a young person exploring satanism may be responsible, she said.

Furthermore, Martin said, it is probably more than coincidence that nearly one mutilated cat a day has been discovered since the attacks have been in the news.

But the goal of Animal Services is not to promote the cat attacks or encourage the assailant, Martin said. Investigators want to warn cat owners not to let their pets outside or go unsupervised outside the house.

This latest cat mutilation follows the discovery of another dead cat Thursday near 750 E. North Crest Drive (815 North). Other attacks have been found at 500 North and H Street, J Street and 600 North, 300 North and H Street.

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