After saying over the airwaves of a French-language radio station that he enjoyed killing stray cats, Huntingdon, Que., mayor Stéphane Gendron once again landed himself in hot water.

"If a stray cat is in the street, BANG, I accelerate," he exclaimed while laughing on Radio X, where he moonlights as a shock-jock.

"The other day, I backed up over a one that had just come into the world. I'm sure it didn’t feel anything. I was very happy. Yes!" he continued.

Gendron called strays a public nuisance and continued to describe the sadistic ways he employs to get rid of them.

He issued an open letter on the website of CHOI, the radio station he works for, apologizing and saying the terms he used may have been inappropriate considering the subject. He also said that he meant the comments to be perceived with a tone of "black humour". However, he didn't deny his previous comments and didn't clarify whether the statements were true or false .

The mayor of the small town about 75 kilometres from Montreal has made controversial statements in the past, particularly anti-Israel ones made in Jan. 2012. It wasn't the first time the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council had to investigate Gendron's on-air comments — it ruled he violated the broadcasting code of ethics in 2006 for comments he made related to a child pornography case.

The Montreal SPCA is investigating Gendron's most recent claims. Spokeswoman Alanna Devine said they haven't been able to speak to the Huntingdon mayor yet, though the SPCA is encouraging residents to call for his resignation.

"This is really very disturbing to hear," she said.

"Those comments and supposed acts coming from somebody — from anybody, but particularly from someone who is a public figure and an elected official of a municipality."

The SPCA is asking people to lodge complaints with the CRTC and Radio X.

Gendron did not return CBC News reporters' request for interviews.