‘Serial cat killer’ on the loose in Dubai?

  DUBAI - Fear is looming in an upscale Dubai neighbourhood after a reported discovery of dead stray cats due to suspected poisoning. Parents have especially aired concern over the safety of their children after Jumeirah 3 residents claimed that at least 10 other cats, including some strays, died due to suspected poisoning in the community. Other than the cats who died in recent weeks, 12 birds were also found dead in the same area four months ago. Khalid Al Falasi, who lives in the neighbourhood with his family, said that the discovery of poison in the food trays of the strays last Monday should not be viewed as isolated. Last Monday, animal activists told XPRESS in a report that four cats had died in a string of incidents in Jumeirah 3. They alleged that the deaths were the doings of a "serial cat killer" who remained on the loose. Al Falasi worries of their children's safety if they accidentally touch the poison-laced items. "Also, if someone has a problem with trash or cats, they should take it up with the authorities," he added. A South African woman is also worried that if this doesn't stop, a child may become sick due to poisoning. She helped rushed three poisoned cats to the vet last Monday with the help of her husband and a friend. "There are so many kids who ride bikes and play in the area. What if one of them accidentally touches the poisoned food or an affected cat or bird?" she asked. She recalled that the cats were shaking and twitching and "died a slow death in a  couple of hours" after they had eaten the poisoned food. The poisoning was confirmed after the local vet, who treated a cat that survived, claimed that the animals were poisoned by highly toxic chemicals like organophosphate, strychnine or carbamate. But another vet, Dr. Soheyl Simaei of Noble Veterinary Centre in Dubai Investment Park said the most common source of poisoning among pets and strays is pesticides. He said that he sees at least a couple of cases of pet poisoning every month where the usual victims are cats. The vet said that the pets were brought to the clinic after they experienced diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. He noted that these animals mostly ingested pesticide or had traces of it. Stray cats are not excluded, Dr.  Simaei said, adding that since they roam around communities and eat whatever comes their way they are particularly vulnerable to food poisoning. CLM/Expat 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