A pet owner Hannah Mbui gets emotional after the loss of her pet, Roxy, under mysterious circumstances. / Screengrab
Residents of Haven Court Estate in Utawala are calling for investigation after at least 11 cats and dogs died under mysterious circumstances over the past two weeks, with pet owners suspecting the animals were deliberately poisoned.
The deaths have left families devastated, with emotional scenes witnessed as residents buried their beloved pets, describing them as companions and members of their families rather than just animals.
Several residents said the animals were found bleeding from the mouth or nose before dying, leading them to suspect poisoning. They dismissed the possibility of a disease outbreak, noting that many of the pets had been vaccinated and were in good health.
Hannah Mbui, who lost her five-year-old cat Roxy, said the loss had left her family heartbroken. She said Roxy had shown no signs of illness before disappearing from home.
"I'm honestly so devastated by the loss of Roxy. She had been part of our family for about five years. She wasn't just a pet; she was our friend and a member of the family. It's painful to lose her this way. She was healthy and had no medical issues. One day she went out and never came back. Cats can live for more than 10 years, so losing her at five years was completely unexpected," she said.
Mbui condemned whoever may have targeted the animals, saying they should consider the emotional trauma caused to families.
"This is very inhumane. Anyone thinking of doing such a thing should think twice. These pets are loved, and families are deeply hurt when they lose them. Just be humane," she added.
Another resident, Carol Nafula, said pet owners in the estate take responsible care of their animals by vaccinating them and ensuring they are properly looked after. She said residents were concerned that the suspected poison could also pose a danger to children playing within the estate.
"We live with many pets here. They are vaccinated, well cared for and are part of our families. Unfortunately, we've lost quite a number of them, and it's becoming alarming. Our children play outside, so this is not just about pets anymore. We want investigations to establish what kind of poison is being used and who is responsible," she said.
Nafula said the deaths had also robbed residents of animals that helped protect their homes. She described the emotional impact on her own family, saying her children had struggled to come to terms with the loss.
"Our pets have never harmed anyone. They help keep away rodents and snakes, and they are friendly. We are now scared because we don't know who is killing them or why," she said.
"My children were deeply affected. When I heard the news, I broke down because we had lived with our pet for four years. That's a long time. It wasn't just an animal; it was part of the family and had its own role in our home."
Another pet owner said the deaths appeared to point to deliberate poisoning because many of the animals displayed similar symptoms.
"Most of the pets that died were bleeding through the mouth or nose. We have lost several cats and dogs in just a few days. It is not normal for so many healthy animals to die at the same time," the resident said.
The resident added that the deaths did not appear to be linked to disease because most of the affected animals had received their routine vaccinations.
"My cat was vaccinated in April this year and was protected against common diseases. That's why we suspect foul play. Someone may have thrown poisoned food outside the estate because most of the pets that died are those that had left the compound, while those that remained inside are still alive," the resident said.
Residents are now urging authorities, including animal welfare agencies and security officials, to investigate the incident, determine the cause of the deaths and hold those responsible accountable.
"We need answers. These animals were not just pets; they were members of our families," one resident said.
