Police launch appeal as cat is found mutilated after ‘firework attack’
POLICE are investigating after a pet cat was found dead having suffered “horrific” injuries after a suspected firework attack.
Mylo was let out of the house overnight on Saturday into Sunday morning at around 3am, and never returned home.
Tragically, she was found decapitated in the Ballyoran Park area of Portadown at around midday on Sunday.
Her heartbroken owner described Mylo as “very trusting and friendly”.
At this stage police have no witnesses to the incident, but they believe the cat may have been subjected to a deliberate attack with a firework.
PSNI officers made a direct appeal on their Craigavon Facebook page for whoever was responsible to come forward.
“If indeed this was a deliberate act, someone out there knows,” they said.
“The sort of people who would be playing with fireworks will not be doing so alone.
“Someone, somewhere witnessed this. Someone, somewhere knows who is responsible.
“If that is you, and you’re reading this, look again at Mylo.
“Now imagine her decapitated and without her legs.
“That is what a human being has potentially done to her.
“If you know anything, or saw anything, don’t sit silently, call us.”
Anyone who can help is asked to contact police on 101 or pass information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The PSNI incident number is 06/11/17.
The PSNI added: “We can’t bring Mylo back but we can crack down on those who would inflict such suffering to an animal, and try and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Emma O’Hare from pet-care provider Pet Connections in Newry highlighted the attack on its Facebook page and the post was shared hundreds of times.
She told the Belfast Telegraph: “I can only hope that the perpetrator will be caught through the investigation. Someone capable of such a cruel act is not someone who I believe should be walking the streets.”
Emma warned on social media that this could happen “anywhere” as she has been charting reports of almost 250 missing cats across Northern Ireland.
She posted: “This was in the Portadown area, but judging by our ongoing research into the missing cats, this could happen anywhere.
“Mylo’s little body was found by her heartbroken family. She had only left the house a few hours before she was discovered, on a busy path, in broad daylight.
“In an ideal world our cats could use their legal right to roam, but it seems we may be surrounded by people who think they are above the law.”
The number of missing cats according to Emma’s research currently stands at 242.
She believes, however, that the actual number of suspected abductions could be significantly higher due to reluctance or inability to report missing pets, and urged anyone with concerns to get in touch.