Animal cruelty cases in 2024 'terrifying,' but police response a welcome sign: advocates

WARNING: This story contains discussion of animal cruelty cases.

Animal advocates say while the case is disturbing, they're encouraged by seeing law enforcement act quickly to get information out to the public after six cats were found dead in west Winnipeg last month. 

Police say foul play was apparent in the deaths of the cats, found under the Summit Road bridge near the western edge of the city over the last several weeks.

The dead cats, which were reported to police on Dec. 8, 28 and 30, were all discovered by citizens who walk or spend time in the area recreationally, police said in a Tuesday news release.

"It's really refreshing to see law enforcement taking this so seriously," said Kaitlyn Mitchell, the director of legal advocacy for the non-profit advocacy organization Animal Justice.

"The fact that we have the major crimes unit involved as well I think really shows police in the city are taking this seriously." 

Tuesday's update from police came just over two months after they said they were investigating reports of dead cats found in Winnipeg's Point Douglas area.

Police said Tuesday they haven't established whether the latest incidents in the western part of the city are connected with those in Point Douglas. Winnipeg police spokesperson Const. Dani McKinnon said the Point Douglas investigation is still in the hands of the major crimes unit.

Police also arrested Chad Kabecz, 40, and Irene Lima, 55, in early October, accusing them of making and selling videos depicting animal torture. Police said at the time 10 cats had been tortured and killed. 

They were initially charged with numerous offences, including killing or injuring animals and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. In November, they were also charged with bestiality, child pornography offences and for planning to torture a child.

Lima was denied bail last month.

Mitchell said she can't remember a year where so many incidents involving companion animals were brought to light in Winnipeg.

"Animal cruelty generally goes unreported" and "happens, for the most part, behind closed doors, on private property, whether that's a home, a farm, an institution," she said.

Krista Blahut, another animal rights advocate, said the number of cases of cruelty toward animals like cats in Winnipeg "seems never ending." 

"Animals are completely innocent in all of this," said Blahut. "They have no idea if who comes up to them wants to give them love or if they want to hurt them." 

Cat owners should also keep their pets inside, she said.

"You don't know if they're going to come home safe or not," said Blahut.

Mitchell echoed that message, saying as a cat owner, she finds the situation "terrifying."

"Folks should take precautions," she said. "This is one of many reasons that cats should not be free roaming outside in the city." 

Meanwhile, Winnipeg police said this week they're looking for more information about the recent incidents. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact major crimes investigators at 204-986-6219. Tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org.