by In Trieste
An investigation is underway into the disappearance of dozens of cats from a village in the north Italian province of Parma.
Over the summer 50 cats have vanished from the homes and gardens of residents in the area of Santa Maria del Piano, near Lesignano de’ Bagni.
All of the missing animals are pets, described by Italian news agency ANSA as “ordinary house cats”, not purebred felines.
The alarm was raised by local veterinarian Luana Giusti who told the Gazzetta di Parma newspaper that she has been keeping track of the missing cat cases.
Giusti says that all the cats that have disappeared are “used to staying at home and making a few forays into the garden before returning.”
A few years ago, a person was caught stealing cats in the same area for the training of fighting dogs, reports ANSA, however this individual has apparently been ruled out in the latest disappearances.
