Pregnant cat found hanged to death, Kerala police register FIR

Animal activists suspect that people who drink and play cards at a local club may have abused the animal for fun.

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A pregnant cat was found dead hanging from a rope along the compound wall of a house in Paalkulangara, Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The Vanchiyoor police registered an FIR under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act based on a joint complaint filed by Parvathy Mohan, campaign coordinator for Federation for Indian Animal Protection Organisations, and Latha India, Kerala secretary for the People for Animals (PFA).

“We received the information on Sunday morning. The cat was hung from a rope tied to an iron pillar. The incident occurred at a shed attached to the house. The cat was pregnant. Its carcass was sent for a postmortem on Monday,” Parvathy told TNM.

She claimed that the shed is often used as a club for local people, including the home owner, to drink and play cards.

“We learnt that some people would gather there to drink and play games. Neighbours have confirmed this. We believe that when this cat visited the shed, they might have hung her up for fun, while she was alive. She was not poisoned, but died by choking,” Parvathy alleged.

She also said that locals tried to bury the carcass, and attempted to convince the informant not to file a complaint.

“By the time we reached, a few locals warned the informer that they will face a lot of legal trouble if a complaint is filed. Even the police tried to avoid the case. But we filed a complaint so that the informer and family don’t have to face any consequences,” she said.

The carcass remained in Valiyarathala PFA shelter on Sunday, and on Monday morning, was taken to the Institute of Animal Health & Veterinary Biologicals located at Palode for an autopsy.