Brooklyn Man Poisons Cat Colony, Killing 18 Felines and 3 Raccoons
A caretaker discovered the devastating scene after using rat poison in amounts capable of killing an elephant, authorities and activists say.
A resident of Brooklyn's Bath Beach neighborhood is accused of poisoning an entire colony of cats, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 felines and three raccoons. The perpetrator allegedly used a quantity of rat poison described as sufficient to "take out an elephant."
Albert Berto, who had cared for the colony for eight years, discovered the horrifying scene on a Tuesday morning when he went to feed the animals. Instead of the usual welcoming group, only one cat appeared. Berto then found multiple deceased cats and raccoons, many exhibiting signs of internal bleeding.
Over the following days, Berto recovered a total of 18 cats and three raccoons. He expressed his grief and disbelief to The Post, stating, "I love those cats. I took them in. I can’t even believe this is happening. The pain they must have suffered. It’s unbelievable."
Berto suspects the poison was administered through food. The ASPCA has taken the bodies of the first seven deceased animals for necropsy, with results pending. Another kitten from the colony was examined by a private veterinarian, who confirmed the presence of high levels of rat poison, consistent with Berto's suspicions.
Neighbors believe they know the individual responsible, citing prior complaints about the cats defecating in their yard. Berto had reportedly offered to manage the colony's waste, but the alleged perpetrator took matters into their own hands.
"They took matters into their own hands. They took the cheap way out. They took the coward’s way out," Berto said.
Only five cats from the colony survived the incident. Berto is now seeking to rehome the surviving cats, stating, "They’re not safe over here."
The NYPD's Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad and the ASPCA are investigating the mass poisoning. As of now, no arrests have been made, leading to significant outrage within the community. A petition demanding charges against the responsible party has garnered over 700 signatures, and local politicians are urging the investigating agencies to pursue the case.
Assemblyman William Colton stated, "My fervent hope is that their efforts will lead to the identification of the person or people behind this horrific turn of events, and that the perpetrator or perpetrators will be brought to justice."
Under New York State Agriculture and Market Laws, the poisoning or attempted poisoning of animals is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.