Nine cats found dead in Mass. city, likely swung by tails, tortured say cops

(CBS) LAWRENCE, Mass. - Over the past few weeks police in the city of Lawrence, about 25 miles north of Boston, have found nine dead cats that appear to have been tortured, CBS Boston reports.

PICTURES: Horrible crimes against animals

Robin Halpin of the MSPCA, a non-profit organization which protects animals, tells CBS Boston that veterinarians believe the cats may have been swung by their tails and thrown onto a hard surface.

The MSPCA  is offering a $1,000 reward for information about the cat killings.

"We don't know exactly what's going on but it's an especially distressing case," Halpin told the station. "Whoever is doing this is not only doing something that is especially cruel, but doing it at a high volume. We have nine cats now. So the chief of police is very worried, and we are very worried."

No arrests have been made in the case.

"There have been no leads at this point. That is why it's important to get the word out," Halpin said.

Animal cruelty is a felony in Massachusetts punishable with up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine.