5 more cats found slain in Florida

PALMETTO BAY, Fla., June 11 (UPI) -- Police say the remains of five mutilated cats found in Palmetto Bay, Fla., appear to be part of a rash of mysterious cat deaths in Miami-Dade County.

Miami-Dade County Police Detective Roy Rutland told The Miami Herald the latest slain cats found Wednesday have not officially been linked to 15 similar feline mutilation deaths.

''The cats that were found today appear to have been mutilated as well," said Rutland, who added an investigation could eventually tie all the cases together.

The animal remains were found in four different Palmetto Bay locations.

''It was a real loud, horrible scream,'' said Palmetto Bay resident Helen Shafner, who later found two slain cats in her front yard. "I kinda figured out what was going on.''

The Herald said no charges have been filed in the 15 earlier cases. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel said Wednesday's grisly discoveries bring the slain cat total in the county to nearly 30 in the last few weeks.