Grisly discovery: Kids find dead cat, its tail severed, at playground in River Heights

Parents in River Heights are being extra cautious after a dead cat, its tail severed from its body, was foundFriday evening under the swings ata playground popular with children.

"We were pretty disgusted and kinda scared for our kids to come here," said Christopher Harper, a father of five children who lives a block away from the park. "For that to happen here, so close to home it's very uncomforting."

The remains were found atWilliam Osler Park, which is at the corner of Brock Street and Mathers Avenue.The Winnipeg Humane Society confirms it is investigating.

Harper says hiskids love visiting the park, especially for the swing-set, adding the gruesome discoveryin a kid-friendly zone is shocking.

"I just couldn't imagine if one of my children came here and found it I know my kids have actually pet that cat here," he said. "I've actually pet him, too."

According to Dan Bogart, his daughter and her friend stumbled upon the remainswhile playing at the park around 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening and sprintedhome to tell their parents.

CBCNewshas seen a photograph of the cat but is not publishing it due to the graphic nature. The imageshows exposed organs and the removed tail lying nearby.

Bogart and the other father took photos and reported the incident to police, worrying the fatal injuries were the result of a crime.

"We didn't notice any bite marks, any scratch marks," he said, "just a slit down the centre of its body, and the tail had been severed."

While he said he's trying not tojump to conclusions about how the cat was killed, he isthinking about safety in the neighbourhood.

The Winnipeg Humane Societysays the cat experienced trauma, but it hasn't been determined whether the injuries were caused before or after it died. The organization saysit will be performing a necropsy, with resultsexpected in a couple of weeks.

With an air of uncertainty surrounding the cat's death, Harper and his wife have decided their five children will no longer visit the park unaccompanied.

"I drew the line, you're not allowed to go to the park [alone] that for sure solidified that they're not allowed to come here by themselves," he said.

Harper says they will also be keeping a closer eye on their cat, who normally goes outside into the yardto play.

The humane society recommendscat owners keep their petsinside their homesat all times.