Letter calls for cats to be poisoned in Reeds Spring

MISSOURI -- An "all-out assault" on stray cats. That's what's going to happen in a mobile home park according to a notice given to tenants at White Eagle Woods in Reeds Spring.

The notice described a killing spree set to take place in October. However, some tenants said that killing spree has already begun.

The notice requested all residents to "leave a bowl of antifreeze out to poison" the stray cats. It goes on to read that if the problem is not eliminated, rent will increase for all tenants. If any tenant is caught feeding a stray cat, they will face immediate eviction.

 

 

On Thursday, KSPR found the charred remains of one cat that had been burned in a pile of debris. An investigator with the Humane Society of Missouri, along with deputies from the Stone County Sheriff's Department were also present. An investigation is underway.

White Eagle Woods is owned and operated by Mark Rich. But after receiving the notice signed as "White Eagle Woods -- LLC", Kimberly Pillars decided to find a new home for her dogs fearing they could be poisoned.

"I'm getting this notice in the mailbox. and I'm thinking, 'Oh great. Where around my property has this man put antifreeze?' I have animals. I have a kid. If he's got stuff out there, I need to know," Pillars said.

The notice reads that stray cats pose a problem.

"Because they are a health hazard. As if having antifreeze on your front porch is not a health hazard," Pillars added.

A tenant only identified as Bill has lived in the mobile home park for 18 years.

"I was shocked, amazed. I was horrified. We have moral responsibilities as human beings to take up for the animals. God created those and he put them under our authority. They're to be taken care of not to be destroyed like this," Bill said.

But some stray cats have already been eliminated. Jeff White said some have been killed by Mark Rich.

"I've actually witnessed him shooting two different cats and I've heard other people say they've seen him put out antifreeze. I found a pie plate underneath that home over there with antifreeze in it. And between the well house and the water tank, I found a cat food can with antifreeze in it," White said.

 

 

KSPR talked with the owner, Mark Rich, on the phone Thursday night. He said he has been out of the state for more than two weeks.

He said the accusations are false. He never sent out the notice, but that it was written by "disgruntled tenants facing eviction."

[If he didn't write the letter, who has been putting out the cans/bowls of antifreeze? Why would this tenant say he SAW him shoot two cats

Rich said he would allow people to come in and trap the cats and take them to shelters. KSPR had several questions to ask Rich, but he said he had nothing else to add or discuss and hung up the phone.

KSPR learned on Thursday that Rich recently faced a charge of Utility Tampering for cutting the wires from an electrical box to a tenant. A warrant was issued for his arrest for Failure to Appear.

(KSPR - Sept 18, 2014)

Related:

• Landlord denies sending out letter telling residents to poison stray cats