Cats found dead, poisoned in Weatherford, authorities say
WEATHERFORD, Okla. (KFOR) — An investigation is underway in Weatherford after police say they found several cats deceased and believed to be poisoned by antifreeze.
In a press release, authorities say they were dispatched to 101 NW Main Street in reference to a report of animal cruelty on October 30.
They found two feral and sick felines, which were taken to an animal hospital. A veterinarian concluded that one of the cats may have drunk antifreeze.
Since that incident, police say they've located several other deceased felines in the area, which also may have drunk the solution.
Families in Weatherford tell News 4 that those incidents aren't the first regarding the sudden deaths of cats in the area.
Audrey Edwards is the owner of a 2-year-old black cat, Penny.
Penny was found on November 1, decapitated after escaping outside on Halloween night. Edwards said she was an inside cat but managed to slip away.
"As soon as I saw her, I just broke down crying in the alley. I don't know how somebody could do that," said Audrey Edwards.
Edwards said when she found Penny in an alley approximately a street over from their home, her head and collar were missing from the rest of her body.
Edwards showed images of Penny, but they are too graphic to share.
When reporting the incident to the police, an officer conducted a visual inspection of Penny and determined she had been attacked by an animal.
However, Edwards believes otherwise, saying, "This has been going on, and I don't know why, like nobody's done something sooner."
When posting about Penny's death on her social media, Edwards' comments were flooded with similar horrific experiences.
"I've seen a couple of months back of comments of people saying like cats' jaws being broken, they're skinned, they're being poisoned with antifreeze, dogs covered in gasoline. Like, I think somebody is out there doing something, and I feel like it needs to be looked into," Edwards said.
Animal cruelty is considered a felony in Oklahoma.
The Weatherford Police Department said they are patrolling the area for suspicious activity, and this is an ongoing investigation.