More cats mutilated in Vancouver suburb

The number of mutilated cats found in a Vancouver suburb has risen to 24 after the discovery of two more bodies.

One of the latest discoveries in Maple Ridge was made Wednesday when a dead cat was found near Harry Hooge Elementary school, said B.C. SPCA spokeswoman Lori Chortyk.

Nine bodies have been found in less than two weeks, with the discovery of the first mutilated cat dating back almost a year.

"What we're dealing with is the remains of cats, in some cases they're sawn directly in half using a sharp object," Chortyk said.

She said it's suspected one person is responsible because the methods being used are so similar.

Chortyk said the remains have been carefully placed so the owners, or a passer-by, would be certain to find them.

While some of the cats have been confirmed as family pets, others remain unidentified and may have been strays.

Another SPCA investigator, Marcie Moriarty, said this is an unusual case.

"If they are linked, the number of cats involved, and the frequency of it. Absolutely, this is a more unique situation," she said.

"If I was a cat owner I would be keeping my cat inside. We just hope we catch whoever, or the people who are responsible for this, before another cat has to die," Moriarty said.