A North Shore resident, Alexia Welsh, is grappling with the mysterious death of her beloved cat, Willow, found 26 kilometers away from home in Mount Wellington. Willow’s body was discovered by a contractor from the Henderson Animal Centre on April 14, a day after she went missing. This incident has led Welsh and her neighbors to suspect foul play targeting local cats.
Willow and another cat, Freddie, slipped out of the house on the night of April 14. Freddie returned the next morning with severe injuries, suggesting he had fought to escape a trap. Veterinarians treating Freddie indicated that his injuries were inconsistent with a typical animal fight, speculating they might have been caused by a trap. Meanwhile, Willow’s collar was missing, and she was identified through her microchip.
Welsh expressed disbelief that Willow could have traveled such a distance willingly, given her timid nature. She suspects that someone might be trapping and relocating cats. This theory is bolstered by Willow’s previous four-day disappearance, after which she returned home visibly frightened.
This is not the first troubling incident for Welsh; another cat, Mickey, went missing in February and remains unaccounted for. Welsh has voiced her concerns on social media, connecting Willow’s death and Freddie’s injuries to a potential neighborhood menace.
Neighborhood Facebook groups have seen multiple reports of missing or injured cats, some accompanied by anonymous posts threatening the local feline population. One such post warned of rat traps and poison being set out, urging pet owners to keep their cats indoors.
Other residents have shared similar experiences. A neighbor recounted her cat’s sudden disappearance, followed by other cats vanishing from the same street. Another resident noted her cat’s suspicious injuries, uncertain if they were linked to other incidents but recognizing the unsettling pattern.
The SPCA has taken steps to address the situation, distributing leaflets in the Unsworth Heights area. These leaflets advised cat owners to keep their pets indoors at night and warned about the illegal use of traps, highlighting that such actions could result in severe penalties.
An SPCA spokesperson confirmed they are investigating the incidents and urged anyone with information to report it. They also recommended that cat owners consider secure outdoor spaces, or “catios,” to keep their pets safe.
Welsh’s story has highlighted a disturbing trend in the neighborhood, leaving many residents worried about their pets’ safety. The community is now more vigilant, hoping to prevent further tragedies and find out who is responsible for these distressing incidents.
