Cats Maimed, Killed

Several cats were found gruesomely attacked over the past week at an informal cat colony in Atlantic City. It was like a scene out of a horror movie when Victoria Schneider arrived at a fenced-in yard that around 14 cats call home. Three of the felines were poisoned and dying. Others were profusely bleeding with their throats slashed, or their paws cut off.

Schneider took the maimed cats home, but a veterinarian told her there was no hope and she couldn't do anything but watch them die.

She has cared for the cat colony for the Senior and Disabled Coalition over the past decade to provide a pick-me-up for the elderly.

"We felt a little pet would break up their lives and give them something to get up in the morning for, to take care of," said Fred Schneider, from the coalition. "To think that there are people out there that could do something like this is just upsetting to me."

Some of the five or six remaining cats have visible scars from the abuse. One kitten showed symptoms of being poisoned.

When news of the slaughter reached the Humane Society, it showed up with traps to capture the remaining cats so they could be treated by a veterinarian and removed from the premises to keep them safe.

"This may not be the best place to return them to. And apparently somebody doesn't want them here. We're going to make sure we're taking care of the animals first," said Steve Dash of the Atlantic County Humane Society.

The SPCA is investigating the crime. If the person or persons responsible are convicted, they will spend time behind bars.

The SPCA hopes blood tests on the remaining cats will reveal the type of poison used in the slaughter to uncover the criminals behind the cruel and gruesome act.

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