Mumbai: An FIR has been lodged after almost two dozen stray cats and kittens were discovered dead and mutilated in Chembur’s Panjarapole–Kamakhyawadi belt, with PETA India terming the spate of killings the handiwork of a suspected serial cat killer and announcing a reward of up to ₹50,000 for information that lead to arrest.
The formal complaint was lodged by 53-year-old Rubeena Abdul Malik Pathan, who has spent the last five to six years feeding and arranging medical care for strays in the neighbourhood.
As per her statement, Pathan first came across four dead cats in the locality on September 3. She clicked photographs of the carcasses on her phone and saved them as evidence.
On the morning of September 6, three days later, Pathan visited the stretch near the Shani temple to feed the animals. There, she spotted another adult cat and a kitten lying lifeless, their bodies smeared with blood.
Both animals bore grievous head injuries, with the nature of the wounds suggesting they had been hit with a blunt or sharp implement.
The string of fatalities sparked fears that the strays were being intentionally killed.
Pathan then reached out to PETA India and other animal-rights groups for help. Acting on the organisation’s advice, the two cats found on September 6 were sent to a veterinary hospital in Parel for post-mortem and further probes, as reported by India Today.
Along with animal lover Pooja Srivastava, Pathan later visited the RCF police station and filed a written complaint.
Police registered an FIR against unknown accused under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and allied provisions. A probe has been ordered to trace those behind the killings.
PETA India has demanded prompt action and asked investigators to scan CCTV recordings from the vicinity to pinpoint the culprit.
The group said the recovery of nearly 20 dead or maimed cats has triggered widespread anxiety among local feeders and residents. It has pledged up to Rs 50,000 for information resulting in the arrest of the guilty.
Animal-welfare activists have also pressed police to check if the cases are linked and to scrutinise the circumstances around each death.
The inquiry is in progress, with authorities expected to comb through CCTV clips, statements from witnesses and other material from the spot to fix responsibility for the attacks.