CARCASES FOUND

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32053, 30 July 1969, Page 7

CARCASES FOUND

Trade In Cat Skins Denied <N Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 28. The Auckland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has had no complaints of cats being skinned in Auckland, the secretary of the society (Mr J. J. Lougheed) said today. Leading Auckland furriers laughed today at suggestions that cat skins were being used for fur coats.

“We have a lot of people ringing up to offer us rabbit or opossum skins,” said Mr G. C. Johnson, manager of a Queen Street fur shop. “But no-one has ever rung up and said he had cat skins for sale. \

“I did make a cat skin coat many years ago, but it was very heavy. I think there is no truth in the stories.” However, a spokesman for the Mid-Canterbury branch of the S.P.C.A. said yesterday that after the discovery of a sack containing six dead cats in the Methven flump at the week-end he suspected a trade in cat skins.

The society’s inspector (Mr J. R. Reeves) said the cats were undoubtedly domestic pets. There were no bullet marks or signs of trapping.

The carcases recovered had been skinned expertly, including the tail and legs.

Mr Reeves said that in recent months the society had received many complaints in Ashburton of cats disappearing. Police are investigating the Methven incident.