Mutilated Cats With Blow Dart Wounds Found Near Military Base In Hawaii

Animal rescue authorities in Oahu, Hawaii, have alleged that stray cats are being shot with blow darts and mutilated by the soldiers at the Schofield Army Barracks after multiple felines were brought to the vet for treatment.

KAT Charities, an animal rescue organization in Oahu, posted a picture of an injured cat on Facebook. The kitty, named Katniss, was found shot with a blow dart and was brought to the vet Thursday for treatment. The picture shows Katniss bleeding as the pointed shard was still lodged in its neck.

The blow dart has since been removed from Katniss' neck, the organization said. The animal charity added that there are many other felines like Katniss that might have been tortured with blow darts.

"This kitty, named Katniss, was brought to the vet this morning and the dart was removed. There are still cats we are trying to catch in order to get them the vet care they need," the Facebook post read.

KAT Charities founder Dr. Karen Tyson told KHON 2 that the blow dart guns were bought by the soldiers in Indonesia during a military exercise. "It is our understanding that a group of soldiers from the 1st battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, purchased blow dart guns while on a recent training mission to Indonesia and brought them home to Hawaii," Tyson told the outlet.

Tyson added that there are reports of multiple injured cats in the area, two of which were found mutilated near the fast-food joint Popeyes. The cats were reportedly found with their stomachs slit open and intestines spilling out.

It was evident from their injuries that the cats were mutilated on purpose and not run over by a car, he said.

"While extremely graphic, we believe it is important to note that the animals appeared to have been purposefully mutilated as opposed to accidentally hit by a car," he told KHON 2.

Katniss was reportedly spotted by a KAT volunteer from a team that feeds the stray cats and conducts TNR (trap, neuter, release) to curb the overpopulation of strays on the island.

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii issued a statement, as per KHON 2, and said they're looking into the complaints, adding that acts of animal abuse don't align with the army values.

"U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii was just made aware and is initiating an investigation into these reports. We cannot speculate about the details at this time while the investigation is ongoing. We ask that witnesses with first-hand information contact Schofield Barracks Military Police at (808) 655-5555. This type of behavior is not tolerated on the installation and is not in keeping with our Army values," the spokesperson said.

Armymen who abuse animals or kill them could face penalties, imprisonment, and a dishonorable discharge, Tyson said, according to Hawaii News Now.