Edmonton police investigating the violent killing of a pet cat by several young men earlier this year are looking for the public’s help in finding the suspects.
The Edmonton Police Service’s animal cruelty investigation unit (ACIU) is investigating a stomping death that happened the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 9, in the northeast neighbourhood of Evansdale.
Police said at around 3:10 p.m., five teenage boys were witnessed standing in a circle while kicking and head-stomping a grey cat until it lay motionless near an ETS bus stop at 150 Avenue and 89A Street.
Several bystanders, including a driver who stopped her vehicle and attempted to intervene, witnessed the attack.
Witnesses also reported seeing the suspects holding the critically injured, one-year-old cat while taking photos of one another on their cell phones, police said.
The owner of the cat, who lives nearby, noticed the disturbance and ran to the scene as the five boys boarded ETS bus 113 (bus stop 732), which includes a stop at Londonderry Mall.
The owner immediately took their family pet to an emergency veterinarian, where the cat was pronounced dead.
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Police said although suspect descriptions provided to investigators are somewhat generic, witnesses described one of the suspects as having black or dark-coloured hair and wearing a navy-blue shirt with bold, white print on the front and black, baggy shorts.
Another suspect was described as having curly hair that covered his eyes. He was dressed in black clothing with dirty, white shoes.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed or have video footage of this violent act and/or who may know any of the suspects responsible to contact police at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
The Edmonton Humane Society issued a statement, saying it is “deeply saddened and concerned” about the incident.
“This is a horrific act of cruelty and our hearts go out to the family of the cat as well as those who witnessed the assault,” CEO Liza Sunley said in a statement. “We are thankful that Edmonton has a dedicated Animal Cruelty Investigation Unit (ACIU) who is taking this investigation seriously.”
The humane society is also urging anyone with information to tell police and is asking adults to use this as a teaching opportunity.
“Use this tragedy as an opportunity to teach young people about the importance of respecting the animals we share our world with,” Sunley said. “There is a well-established link between violence against animals and violence against humans, and it is crucial that we work together to prevent both.”
— With files from Emily Mertz, Global News
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