Halloween Limits Adoption of Cats

An apparent rise in cat mutilations during past Halloween celebrations has caused two Ventura County agencies to limit the adoption of cats, specifically black cats.

Kathy Jenks, Ventura County animal regulation director, said that although she does not have statistics, “there is a rise in mutilations. We’ve found cats burned or cut, and one or two at Halloween that were skinned alive.”

Jolene Hoffman, director of the Ventura County Humane Society shelter in Ojai, said: “Several weeks ago at Ventura College, a mutilated body of a cat that had been decapitated was thrown on the campus grounds. By the time we were called, the body was gone. Today I got a report from Oak View about a cat who had a cut on its throat from ear to ear.” The cat survived, she said.

County shelters in Camarillo and Simi Valley and the Humane Society’s shelter in Ojai will allow the adoption of most cats on a case-by-case basis but will not allow any black cats to be adopted. Cat adoptions will resume after Nov. 2.

Both agencies got together about five years ago and decided to limit cat adoptions, Jenks said. “We still have problems at Halloween, but at least it’s not cats gotten from us. The thinking was to cut off one of their sources.”

Jenks said she believes that the apparent increase in mutilations is due to “pseudo-satanism, kids looking for black magic power.”

Ed Brodie, supervisor of the misdemeanor unit for the Ventura County district attorney’s office for the past year, said he has not seen any prosecutions for animal mutilation.

“It probably does happen, but all that is found is the mutilated body. If no one’s been caught, we’re essentially out of luck,” he said.

However, Hoffman recalled a group of youngsters, 8, 10 and 12 years old, who doused a black cat with gasoline a year to 18 months ago. “They watched it burn with no remorse,” she said. Those youngsters were identified, arrested and prosecuted, she said.

County shelters also do not allow the adoption of puppies and kittens several days before Christmas because of possible mistreatment.

“Christmas is such a hectic time. The puppies or kittens might be ignored or not watched properly. We feel it’s not good to give an animal as a gift. What appeals to you might not appeal to someone else.”