PUNE, INDIA—In the third such case this month, the badly mutilated body of a female cat, identified as Cassie, was discovered outside the Fortaleza compound in Kalyani Nagar.
Police confirmed that this was once again the handiwork of Curiosity.
Although the main cause of death was stated as blunt force trauma to the head, Cassie also suffered multiple stab wounds and had numerous cuts and abrasions throughout her body. There was evidence of past asphyxiation and fur-pulling, suggesting she had been tortured for at least two days before she was killed.
There were no witnesses, and the police have no other leads other than the killer's name.
“We are doing everything humanely possible to apprehend Curiosity. It will be tough, (as) the man is quick, efficient and leaves no trace evidence,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Sudeep Patil, “In fact, the only reason we know for sure that this was him, is the similarity in the choice of victims and the brutality (with which) they were killed.”
The killings first came to light earlier this month, when the first cat, who could not be identified, was found by two passing schoolgirls. A week after that, the lifeless body of Tibby was found by a police patrol unit.
Curiosity claimed responsibility for the killings when he called the police hotline soon after the first body was discovered. “The man said ‘Curiosity killed the cat’, and started laughing.” said Constable Shekawat, who was on duty that day,"He then said 'No one mom' and hung up. His sadistic laugh and abrupt disconnection of the call told us that the caller himself was Curiosity."
Voice analysts later released a press statement saying that Curiosity was approximately 17, felt “absolutely no remorse for his actions" and was likely to target older female cats.
Local residents are in shock. "I can't believe this is happening in our city", said local corporate executive Hari Sadu. The cats of the area have also been understandably angry. A street tabby, Lazar, when interviewed, ominously said, "Meow."
