Dead Cats Covered with Mysterious Tar Substance over Suspected Chemical Poisoning

Dead cats due to mysterious tar or marmite substance have been found in the city of Leeds in Yorkshire County, England.

Some of the felines have to be but put down in a form of euthanasia.

As a probe into the case continues, the local government and animal experts believed that the cats were a victim of chemical poisoning.

Investigation is Underway

Local officials have conducted an investigation into the incident.

It was mentioned earlier that initial assessment suggested that the cats were exposed to chemical poisoning, which led to their eventual deaths.

However, it is unclear if whether the deaths involve a foul play or were purely accidental.

According to ITV News, the charity organization Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is urging cat owners in Leeds to remain vigilant and be cautious in their surrounding areas following the spate of chemical poisonings.

Several cat owners in the Horsforth neighborhood reportedly claimed their pets went missing over the last month before Saturday, July 9, the RSPCA said.

In a related case, one cat struggling from the substance was put into sleep.

Another feline was also found dead after coming into contact with the mysterious substance, which local sources claimed to be "like Marmite in texture" associated with an unpleasant or foul smell.

RSPCA inspector Adam Dickinson stated the said substance was evidently highly acidic and toxic.

This comes after the vets and other authorities attempted to clean the cats from the chemical substance.

Chemical Poisoning Case

The exact nature of the chemical poisoning itself remains to be undisclosed, even with the specific toxic substance used. But, it was apparent that the chemical is capable of burning some of the cat's fur and other body parts.

In one instance, a cat named Buzby, who was once active, became lethargic since the substance managed to burn the interior of her mouth.

The same feline also had some of her fur to fell off, which allowed the officials to confirm the substance was very poisonous.

Buzby's ordeal started when she returned home on Grove Road in Horsforth many times with her fur coated with a "dark tar-like substance," according to The Yorkshire Post.

Indication of the cat's symptoms manifested when she changed her behavior before coming ill.

In particular, Buzby was drooling and entered in a state of lethargy.

The feline was put to sleep on May 24 after failing to respond to veterinary treatment, and after suffering from organ failure.

The initial investigation assumed there could be a chemical spillage in the area.

On the other hand, it also considers the possibility that the substance may have been thrown at the cats when they were roaming outdoors.

Poison Transmission

According to the organization International Cat Care, a cat can become poisoned when it directly digests a toxic substance or when it consumes a poisoned prey.

In addition, inhaling the poison through air and swallowing a contaminated fur could be other possibilities.

Cats can also absorb the toxins through their skin, especially the paws, the organization says.