On Sunday, a cat named Jesebelle was found mutilated, dismembered and
left on her front lawn. Jesebelle's head and front two limbs were
removed, said the cat's owner, James Marz of Hyden. Jesebelle had been
gutted.

Marz, 33, said he doesn't think the act was performed by a cult or an
annoyed neighbor.

"They would have kept or discarded the body," said Marz, who raised
the cat.

Leslie County Police responded to the scene of the crime. However,
spokesman Cpl. Don Higgins said there are no leads, yet.

No blood was found on the ground. The limbs and head were cut with
sharp precision, Marz said.

"It looks like whoever had done this had done it before," Marz said.
He estimated Jesebelle was about 14 years old.

Jeanie Barnell, Southeast director of the Primate Freedom Project, has
posted a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those
responsible. Although her organization primarily works for the welfare
of primates, she said the care of domestic pets is equally important.

"There's nothing we can do to replace that cat," said Barnell, who has
worked in animal care for 14 years. "We need to remove this person
from society and help get them in jail."

Barnell said that people who mutilate animals have been known to
progress to more serious crimes involving humans.

"Serial killers start out like this," Barnell said. Marz, smiled and
nodded.