Poisoning suspected in cat deaths

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Hawaiian Humane Society is warning residents in the 'Ahuimanu area that someone or some group may be poisoning cats.

Flyers were passed out last week after two cats died of apparent poisoning. The cats belonged to the same owner and died within hours of each other.

The Humane Society opened an investigation after Phillip Pearson found one of his cats seriously ill Aug. 2. The tomcat was treated by Pearson's brother, veterinarian Eric Pearson, but it died Aug. 5.

On Aug. 4, Phillip Pearson found his other cat under the house crying, but Pearson was unable to reach it. It was found dead a few hours later.

His brother said both animals showed signs of poisoning, but asked that the type of poison not be revealed for fear of imitators.

Eric Pearson said it would be difficult to prove that the poisoning was deliberate. But he said there was no sign of the substance on his brother's property.

He suspects the cats were poisoned at the same time.

"If you can catch it early, then you can treat it. But since it had been more than six hours or so, it was too late," Eric Pearson said.

Humane Society spokeswoman Eve Holt said an investigator is looking into the deaths. She said area residents were given fliers warning them of possible cat poisonings.

Holt also acknowledged that without a trail of evidence or witnesses willing to come forward, it would be difficult to find and prosecute whomever was responsible.

"I can't recall any convictions for animal poisoning," she said. "We certainly have had convictions for animal cruelty."

Both crimes are misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in prison and a $2,000 fine, she said.

Holt asked anyone with information about the 'Ahuimanu cat deaths or other cases to call the Humane Society at 946-2187.

"It's pretty frightening to the community at large that there might be somebody living in their midst who thinks they can go out and poison animals and get away with it," Holt said.

She offered the following tips for cat owners:

• Keep cats indoors.
• If a cat is allowed outside, supervise it closely.
• Cats should always wear identification.

Eric Pearson said owners should leave an ample supply of fresh water for their cats.

"If an animal has a ready source of clean, fresh water, they are less apt to drink something — a puddle underneath the car or maybe down the gutter — or they're less apt to go looking for a source of water," he said.