KUALA TERENGGANU: The most likely cause of the death of 20 cats found at the Pantai Bukit Keluang resort area in Besut on March 6 was a parvovirus infection, and not poisoning.

       Terengganu Veterinary Services Department (DVS) director Dr Anun Man said the results of laboratory tests conducted by her department and the Chemistry Department found no trace of poison in the samples of the carcasses.

       “The results of the diagnostic tests performed did not detect the presence of the toxin as suspected. However, the cats were confirmed positive for parvovirus infection, which can spread very quickly, involving large numbers of animals.

       “The cats have not been vaccinated, and apart from cats, this virus can also infect dogs,” she told Bernama when met at the state DVS Aidilfitri celebration here yesterday.

       She did not rule out the possibility that the cats were discarded there by an unspecified party after discovering that the animals were infected and could no longer be saved.

       “However, there is no evidence that can link this irresponsible act to any party. Perhaps the owner is worried that the disease will spread to other pets, hence the move (of discarding the animals on the beach),” Dr Anun said.

       A video clip of 20 dead cats on Pantai Bukit Keluang quickly went viral as soon as it was uploaded by a staff member of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) in the morning of the incident.

       The incident drew mixed reactions from netizens, some of whom were angry, while others were saddened by what they thought was the action of irresponsible parties. Some also believed that the cats were poisoned.

       Following that, DVS went down to the location to investigate and brought the carcasses to the laboratory to determine the cause of death.