2 people arrested after 10 cats tortured, killed in 'horrible' animal cruelty case: Winnipeg police

WARNING: This story contains disturbing details.

A 40-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman have been arrested and charged with torturing and killing 10 cats, Winnipeg police say.

They allege the two posted videos and photos of animal torture content on the dark web, after some of the cats were bought through social media.

The content was viewed by a citizen and turned in to the provincial veterinarian, who sent the content to police in August 2024, police said at a news conference Friday. The animal torture content was posted online between May and August.

That led to an investigation during which a search warrant was executed in the Lord Roberts area of south Winnipeg. The two people were arrested and evidence was seized, police said at a Friday news conference.

Police said they found evidence of animal cruelty in the home, and located 10 cats and a rabbit during their investigation, but no animals found were alive.

"Investigators told me that this is the worst case that they've dealt with — a very, very horrible case involving animal cruelty," Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson Const. Stephen Spencer said.

He said that when people are involved in crimes against animals, that violent behaviour can escalate and involve humans, but there is currently no evidence to suggest intent to harm people in this case.

Spencer also said while police have received reports of cats being found dead in the Point Douglas area, it's not believed at this point the two cases are related. The police service's major crimes unit is still investigating the Point Douglas reports, as well as the Lord Roberts case, he said.

The two Winnipeggers who were arrested were known to police. They are in police custody and charged with:

• Killing or injuring animals.
• Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
• Failing to provide adequate medical attention for an animal when it is wounded or ill.
• Inflicting acute suffering, serious injury or harm upon an animal, or extreme anxiety or distress that significantly impairs its health or well-being.

Don't support social media sellers: Humane Society

Andrew Clarke, director of investigation and emergency response for the Winnipeg Humane Society and a former police officer, says about two-thirds of the thousands of calls his department gets are related to some form of animal mistreatment or abuse, but that a case like this is very rare.

"It is disturbing," Clarke said during an interview on CBC Radio's Up to Speed. "These are serious charges that [police have] laid, and they obviously feel confident they got, unfortunately, the evidence to back them up."

Clarke said that while the number of calls has remained consistent over the last couple years, animal removals in the city have gone up in 2024, adding that it might be in part due to people no longer being able to take care of their pets because of economic headwinds.

This case highlights why people should not support sellers advertising pets on social media, he said, urging prospective pet owners to instead visit reputable rescues in the city.

Winnipeg police said anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals can contact the provincial animal care line at 204-945-8000.

People can also contact the Winnipeg Police Service regarding criminal incidents involving animals, or make a report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or winnipegcrimestoppers.org.