Wildlife, not humans, caused the deaths of cats found deceased and mutilated in Kent and surrounding south King County communities, according to Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC).
RASKC said it completed an investigation after pet owners and social media posts raised concerns in recent weeks that several cats may have been intentionally killed and mutilated by a person.
Animal control officers investigated the reported incidents, and recovered remains were examined by a board-certified veterinary forensic pathologist and reviewed in consultation with a wildlife biologist, according to RASKC. The experts determined the evidence did not point to human-inflicted deaths.
The findings were consistent with veterinary forensic research showing wildlife can cause injuries that may be mistaken for intentional human mutilation, RASKC said.
While these investigated cases do not indicate a human cause, they serve as an important reminder that free-roaming cats face numerous risks, including:
- Being killed by coyotes and other wildlife
- Being hit by cars or other vehicles
- Exposure to diseases
- Exposure to toxins
- Injuries from fights with other animals
RASKC said the most effective way to protect cats is to keep them indoors, provide secure outdoor enclosures or allow only supervised outdoor time.
All cats and dogs in the RASKC coverage area are required to be licensed, the agency said. Pets wearing license tags can be more effectively identified.
Residents who see wildlife behaving dangerously, appearing sick or injured, or creating a public safety concern should report those incidents to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to RASKC. WDFW is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife conflicts and responding to wildlife-related concerns.
Suspected animal cruelty involving pets and other domestic animals should still be reported to Regional Animal Services of King County or local law enforcement. More information is available at kingcounty.gov/AnimalControl.
