What could do this??? (graphic story)

[iread]

We had 4 kittens beneath the deck. Day 3 and we had 3 kittens. The runt was gone. She moved them to the deck that has a gate up. About a week and a half later, down to 2 kittens. They have been ok for about 2 weeks there. This afternoon, I took the dogs out and the kittens were fine. The dogs are always out there in the afternoons with the kittens. (one of my dogs only has a hand full of teeth and the other has just a few more) I went out to feed the chickens this evening and I was getting the dogs to go with me. There was the back half of one of the kittens just laying there. The other kitten was fine. There was no blood at all. No sign of a struggle. The kitten that was killed was sliced in half below the gut. The top half wasn't there.

My DBF thinks that a hawk got it, dropped the half in the yard and the mother retrieved it. What in the heck could have done this??? I am terrified to put the other baby back out there. It is only about 4 weeks old and can't live without it's mother. I'm putting them in the garage tonight.

I really hope that this thing doesn't get the taste of chickens! Any ideas on what could slice so cleanly??

 

[faykokoWV]

I don't think that sounds like a hawk, they usually would tear at something so the remains would have been shredded. any sociopaths in your neighborhood?

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Sounds like it was one of your dogs since they are the ones with the access.

Strange that momma cat wasn't protecting her babies.

I would keep momma and remaining baby in a secure area away from the dogs.

Good luck

 

[laughingllama75]

My guess would be the dogs, but also have seen a queen (mother cat) do this. Hmmm....puzzling and sad.

I hope your other one makes it!

 

[Imp]

A few years ago the feral cat across the street had her usual 4 kittens. 1 went to a new home. The cat moved the other 3 under a cypress next to my front yard. No one knew where she had hidden them. That spring for a few weeks I found pieces all over the side yard. I think it was raccoons. It was disturbing- sorry you had to see that.
Her next litter I took from her and found homes. Mama now lives in my backyard, I trapped her and had her spayed.

Imp

 

[jhm47]

My guess is that it is a tomcat. They often kill and eat kittens. After the kittens are all killed, the mother cat will soon come into heat, and the tom will be able to breed her. JMHO.

 

[helkat]

GAH! That is terrible. Sorry all that happened. Poor babies

 

[darbella]

I think I would have taken them inside after the first one went missing! Almost anything could have gotten the poor things.

 

[boxermom]

I'd say tomcat too. We kept our cat and kittens secluded until they were 6-7 wks old. Toms are pretty nasty where kittens are concerned.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
Thank you.