WAKEMAN — An estimated 20 cats have been poisoned with antifreeze in the past several weeks in this Huron County village and a cat was found Monday shot through the head with an arrow, according to Wakeman Police Chief Tim Hunker.

“It’s become open season on cats,” Hunker said.

The latest victim was a cat shot in the head at Clark Street and U.S. Route 20 that died after dragging itself to an auto shop, he said.

It is unknown whether that killing is related to about 20 other cats believed to have been poisoned with antifreeze in the area of Verlin and Pearl streets, Hunker said.

It takes only about a teaspoon of antifreeze to be fatal, and Hunker speculated someone might be putting it on food or in pans in an attempt to kill stray cats.

But pets also have been victims, he said. One of the casualties was a cat belonging to a Wakeman woman and tests came back positive for ethylene glycol, the active ingredient in antifreeze, Hunker said.

“If you put a pan of antifreeze or put antifreeze on food, you’re taking a chance of killing your neighbor’s dog or cat,” he said.

Hunker asked anyone with information to call the department at (440) 839-2511 or e-mail WakemanPolice@yahoo.com.

Each poisoning could result in a charge of misdemeanor animal cruelty, he said.

The first poisoned cat was spotted Sept. 11 when police got a call about a sick animal in the street.

“It couldn’t move, it was very disoriented and it was dragging itself across the street,” Hunker said. Police shot the animal to put it out of its misery, he said.

Ethylene glycol quickly affects the vital organs and leads to decreased motor functions, dehydration, paralysis and kidney failure as part of a painful death in a couple days, he said.

“We believe it’s an intentional act and it’s very inhumane,” Hunker said.

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.

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