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VET REPORT: ALDICARB SUSPECTED
Cats poisoned ESMÉ ERASMUS
T
he mystery of three dead cats, all fin close proximity, led to the discovery that all the cats were poisoned. August to September is usually the mating season for cats in which especially male cats are in heat and more quarrelsome, which often irritates neighbours. However, according to a vet from Tygerberg Animal Hospital, it is not so common, especially in Durbanville and Bellville, that cats are poisoned. Dr Stephen Smit of Tygerberg Animal Hospital said cats are not easily poisoned as they often do not eat everything presented to them. Mike Amira, known as the Owl Man, told TygerBurger a resident reported on the WhatsApp group of the local neighbourhood watch last Saturday 26 September, that he found a dead cat on their front lawn in Avion Road in Avion Villas in Zonnendal, Kraaifontein. “I did not think much about this; I know this happens – people hit a cat, feel guilty and throw the dead cat over the fence. “But then 10 minutes later a woman said she found another dead cat – this time behind the gate, about 15 metres away from the other dead cat,” he said. “I then thought now this sounds suspect.” He went to investigate to see if there were any signs of physical trauma such as blood coming from the eyes, mouth, broken bones or swelling. “I often work with injured animals. On my way I found another dead cat, just five metres away from the other dead cat.” A packet of dry pellets was also found in a nearby park. He took the cats – two male cats and one female cat – away and froze them to be sent to the state veterinarian in Stellenbosch for post mortems. “The analysis came back and they found a large amount of grey-black coloured granules in the stomachs of all three cats, mixed with a substance consisting of pellets, that looks like porridge, which was probably used as bait,” he said. “The vet said he is 99% certain the cats were poisoned,” he said.
For Crystal Smit, who lives in Avion Road, it was a double tragedy as two of the poisoned cats belonged to her. She said her two daughters, 12 and nine years old, are devastated. It was the second time a pet of hers was
poisoned. Her boerboel was also poisoned about two years ago. According to Smith there are a lot of cats in her street – constantly fighting among each other. At one property alone there are eight cats, she said.
Amira received the report from the state veterinarian on Monday. In the report it was stated that “the diagnosis was highly suggestive of Aldicarb poisoning”. V To page 4
Fine tuning
Dragana Jevtovic from Durbanville has been a presenter at Fine Music Radio for over 14 years. Her dog, Sergei, a Black Russian Terrier, is her companion in the studio. See article on page 3. PHOTO: ESMÉ ERASMUS