Last week, a group of anglers discovered a garbage bag in a lake near Bjørnfjell. When they removed the belt and the stone that was tied around the bag, they found a dead cat locked in a cage. Now the organization Hjemløse katter Narvik is promising a reward of NOK 11,000 for tips that can clear up the case. INVESTIGATION: – There is a lot of talk about so-called corona animals, but we do not yet know what applies in this case, says Rita Øien. Photo: Private Society together on the hunt for cat killers – It’s a grotesque act. We will not give up until the person who is guilty is found and must be held accountable, says chairman Hilde Fredheim. The case has aroused collective commitment and despair in the local community. – We really appreciated the help, says Hilde Fredheim, chairman of Homeless Cats Narvik. Photo: Private – You didn’t think it would happen here. People are angry about the action and everyone thinks it’s absolutely horrible, says Fredheim. It is thanks to them that the bounty, which started at NOK 5,000, has more than doubled in a week. Individuals contribute sums of money ranging from NOK ten to NOK 2,000 in the prize pool. They also call in with tips and provide information in the local area. Fredheim says that they have received a number of tips. Some of them deal with both the cage and the belt used. – We have a close dialogue with the police and anything that is interesting is forwarded to them. Animal Protection: – I can’t remember such an ugly case. It was Animal Protection Harstad that was first notified of the discovery by the desperate group of anglers. – We receive reports of concern both for such animals and production animals, which we pass on to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. But I can’t remember such an ugly case as this, says chairwoman Rita Øien. According to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s report on work with animal welfare for 2021, pets are at the top of the list of cases registered as serious mistreatment of animals. The police: – Several cases In Nordland, the animal crime investigation is only a year old. In the past year, information has always been received about animals being subjected to violence in the past year. CREATING A CASE: – It can be challenging to solve such cases without tips from the public when we have no information about the perpetrator. But it is too early to say. Photo: The police This is according to Stine Marie Brox Gundersen in the Nordland police district who investigates animal welfare crimes. – But this is the first case I have for this type of mistreatment, i.e. drowning. On a national basis, there are several cases that are happening, says Gundersen. – It is helpful to have such cooperation. It is important to collaborate with organizations that can sit on important information. Sometimes you see that the public can give tips to agencies other than the police. Stine Marie Brox Gundersen in the Nordland police district, who investigates animal welfare crimes, says so. One of the first cases after Norway started with animal police was also a drowning case. After the dog Lucas was found dead and tied to a cement block in Moss, the perpetrator was sentenced to nine months in prison. Cats are particularly vulnerable to mistreatment Veterinarian and head of the animal protection organization NOAH, Siri Martinsen, believes there may be large numbers of dark figures. – There are a number of factors which mean that cats are unfortunately overrepresented when it comes to sadistic abuse. In cases like this, it can be sadistically motivated, but it can also be someone who is simply trying to get rid of the cat in a so-called easy way. WILL INCREASE PENALTIES: – Raising the penalty framework will lead to higher penalties being given, says Siri Martinsen in NOAH. Photo: Bente Isefjær / NOAH The maximum penalty for animal cruelty is three years in Norway. In England he is five. – Now we will probably get a regulation on the breeding of dogs to limit predation. We believe that we must have the same regulations in place also when it comes to cats, says Martinsen.
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Organization promises NOK 11,000 in reward for tips to catch cat killers in Narvik – news Nordland
