Dog suspected in Florida cat deaths caught

LAUDERHILL, Fla., June 10 (UPI) -- One of the four dogs suspected of killing 16 cats in Lauderhill, Fla., has been caught, authorities say.

Animal Care and Regulation Division spokeswoman Lisa Mendheim said the dog, a male pit bull mix, was captured Tuesday by county animal control workers in Broward County, Fla., the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Wednesday.

Sixteen cats have been found dead and mutilated in Lauderhill since May 30 and authorities suspect a pack of dogs was responsible for the killings.

The remaining three dogs in the pack are still at large and Lauderhill police said the animals appear skittish when dealing with people, the Sun-Sentinel said.

Police officials in Lauderhill have downplayed any connection between the recent area cat deaths and a spate of similar cat killings in Miami-Dade County, Fla.

The Sun-Sentinel said dozens of felines have been killed in the Florida county during recent weeks, but authorities there suspect a human may be responsible for the killings.