Cat remains said to be work of taxidermy hobbyist

Area where remains were discovered, now thought to be work of a taxidermy hobbyist. (Courtesy photo)

MILTON - Milton Police Chief Richard Krauss is blaming reckless social media comments for a storm of controversy over the remains of what are thought to be several cats on private property that abuts Pineland Park.

Krauss said police got involved about two weeks ago after they were called by a nearby resident who discovered at least one set of remains and a few other bones inside cages made of something akin to chicken wire.

The resident, who became aware of the remains after smelling a stench from the abutting property, thought an animal cruelty crime may have occurred leading them to call authorities.

Krauss said an investigation ensued and found all of the animals to have been road kill and that no crime had been committed.

The person who owns the property is a taxidermy aficionado - it is not a business - and needs no special permits to practice their craft, he said.

After an investigation it was learned that the person was allowing the remains - all road kill - to bleach in the yard. The cages were to keep wild animals like skunks, possum and coyotes from disturbing the remains.

Krauss said while the stench may have been objectionable, it's similar to the shark found on private property on Teneriffe Mountain in the summer of 2013.

"That shark was on private property," Krauss said on Friday. "We did not move it; we let nature take its course."

He said stench could also come from a compost pile, which is not illegal, and would also draw no response from police.

Krauss said he had not notified selectmen or any other officials because no law had been broken.