Police investigating alleged cat mutilations in the Heights

HOUSTON – On a quiet street in the Heights, resident Scott Fusselman recently saw something that stopped him cold.

"It was just laying out there near the corner of my driveway," Fusselman said.

It was a mutilated cat, so badly disfigured, Fusselman says, it can't be an accident.

"It was intentional and it was a hack job," Fusselman said.

According to at least one other Heights resident, it's not a rare occurrence.

"It's sick, it's the sign of a cruel mind," said Jennifer Estopinal.

Estopinal helped create a Facebook page called "Justice for Murdered Cats in Heights."

"Even if people don't care about animals, it's the mentality that they may move on to humans if they think they can get away with it," Estopinal said.

Since 2008 she has heard from Heights neighbors of about 20 cases of cat cruelty. She passes the information on to Houston police. Estopinal says in some cases it might be the result of other animals attacking the cats, but she doubts it.

"It could be one or more people," Estopinal said. "Catching them is going to be tricky, it seems this is happening in the dead of the night."

Fusselman just hopes if it is a person or people responsible, they're caught soon.

"It really irritates me," Fusselman said.

He filed a report with HPD this week. HPD says the information will be passed along to an animal cruelty investigator.

Crime Stoppers is also offering up to a $5,000 reward for anyone who comes forward with information regarding cat cruelty in the Heights.  You can call 713-222-TIPS (8477) or text TIP610 to CRIMES (274637).