Ninth cat found mutilated in Olympia in string of suspected serial attacks

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- (KCPQ) -- A ninth mutilated cat has been found in Thurston County, Animal Services said Tuesday.

The 11-year-old cat, named "Midnight," went missing on Sunday and the owners found the cat Monday near Lilly Road SE and Pacific Avenue SE in Olympia, the agency said. The cat had been beaten and cut open and several internal organs removed, officials said.

“It's not only a safety issue for the pets, but a public safety issue because we have someone that is out there that is very sick and needs to be caught,” said Erika Johnson with Thurston County Animal Services.

Johnson is working to determine whether yet another mutilated cat is linked to the seven they already believe are connected. An eighth kitten was recently found beheaded, but it is still unclear if its death was linked to the other seven.

A reward of $21,000 is being offered in the original case, up another $1,000 from Tuesday. If you have any tips, you can call Thurston County Animal Services at (360) 352-2510.