The first cat found without a leg is seen in this photo provided by a resident.
NIIHAMA, Ehime — Stray cats each missing one leg have been found one after another in this western Japan city, sparking a police investigation.
According to sources close to the matter, since the first sighting of a cat missing a leg about a year ago, the number has grown to about 10, with another discovered in August. Ehime Prefectural Police’s Niihama Police Station is investigating the possibility of abuse or illegal hunting traps, but the cause remains unknown. Locals have voiced their concerns, urging a swift resolution due to the eerie nature of the incidents.
The cats without a leg have been found mainly around Niihama’s Hagiu district. The first feline was discovered by a resident around July 2024. The shocked resident recounted, “It was hopping around, and upon closer inspection, I realized it was missing a leg.” After a roughly monthlong attempt, the cat was captured, revealing that its left front leg had been severed from around the elbow. The animal received treatment at a nearby animal hospital, where the animal’s leg was amputated at the shoulder. The cat’s life was not in danger.
A site where a cat without a leg was found is seen in Niihama, Ehime Prefecture, Aug. 25, 2025. (Mainichi/Akiko Hirose)
Following this, sightings of cats missing a leg continued around the area, prompting a resident to report the situation to Niihama Police Station in April this year. Although the police initially responded three days later, stating “there is no criminal element,” sightings persisted, leading to a report to the Saijo Health Center’s environmental health division. The health center also suspected abuse and reported it to the police.
In August, another cat missing a leg was discovered. A total of three felines — all adults — have received treatment so far. Although the severed parts varied, all included the bone. The health center considered the possibility of the cats getting caught in hunting traps meant for wild boars or deer and queried the local hunting association, but no such traps had been set. A health center official commented, “If attacked by a wild animal, the assailant would likely target vital areas like the neck or abdomen. A traffic accident is also unlikely.”
A veterinarian in the nearby city of Saijo who examined the animals was astonished, saying, “I’ve never seen wounds like this before.” Even if caught in an illegal trap, it is unlikely that the bone would be severed, leading the vet to say that “abuse is a possibility.” However, the doctor also noted that there is a risk of fatality if there is significant bleeding from the wound, saying, “It’s puzzling that they are alive with such significant injuries. There are many questions, and the cause is unclear.”
A cat found without a front leg is seen in this photo provided by a resident.
Capturing animals without permission or using prohibited traps are violations of the Wildlife Protection, Control, and Hunting Management Act, while killing or injuring animals unnecessarily violates the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals, potentially resulting in penalties.
An official from the Ministry of the Environment, which oversees hunting, stated, “There have been instances where dogs and cats have been caught in hunting traps,” and explained that “illegal traps are severely restricted to prevent such accidents.” A representative at the Niihama Municipal Government’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries division, which serves as the contact point for hunting issues, mentioned, “There have been no recent cases of dogs or cats getting caught in traps. If this continues, we would like to issue warnings.”
A Niihama Police Station official stated, “We aren’t disclosing details, but we are investigating with various possibilities in mind.” The health center has put up posters in the area, urging people to report suspicious individuals or injured cats to the police or health center immediately.
(Japanese original by Akiko Hirose, Matsuyama Bureau)
AloJapan.com