PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania SPCA is investigating after a video circulated online showing a woman seemingly pouring bleach on food left out for cats in her neighborhood.
The PSPCA was made aware of the potential animal abuse incident last month.
“In the video, it appears that a woman is pouring bleach on cat food that is left out for community cats and some owned cats as well in that area,” said spokesperson Gillian Kocher.
She said the PSPCA started investigating, and authorities interviewed the woman in question. They also recovered “evidence at the time from a property that has now been sent to a lab for processing.”
Kocher said they are waiting for those lab results to determine whether the woman was trying to harm the neighborhood felines or was just feeding them through an unconventional container.
“We can certainly see what appears to be a bleach bottle, but we have to determine — is this truly a toxin that was being poured on, and if so, what are the appropriate charges in this case?” she said. “We believe and very luckily that this did not harm any of the animals, but it certainly has the potential to.”
If PSPCA investigators determine there was an intent to harm or kill any animals through poisoning, Kocher said the woman could face charges.
“It is not illegal for people to leave food outside for those animals,” Kocher added. “It is absolutely illegal and a problem to harm those animals.”
