Hyderabad: Tribals stealing cats, selling off skins

Hyderabad: Dogs are not the only ones going missing. Desperate cat owners are reporting several cases of disappearances and sources reveal an investigation has determined that certain tribal communities living within the city are responsible.

Those calling for help are providing minute details – even nicknames of the cats. They are also leaving behind possible pick-up locations and numbers for people with possible leads. In December, the city’s Blue Cross put out several cases of missing cats. For example, a 14-month-old tabby was reported missing from Chanchalguda on December 22. Another 3-month-old female, Kittu, was reported missing from Tarnaka on December 28. In the same month, four male kittens vanished from Charminar. The Blue Cross helpline is receiving at least two missing cases a week.

Vasanthi Vadi, the president of Blue Cross said an early probe has revealed that members of a tribal community living within the city have been stealing cats, for consumption.

Blue Cross says tribals living at Karmanghat, Bowenpally and along the Medchal highway are eating the cats

“They are trapping the cats and stoning the animals to death. The cats are then skinned and eaten. The skin is also sold off,” she said.