MELAKA: The body of a cat belonging to a couple living along Jalan Bendahara here was found with its legs cut off on Thursday (Aug 19).

       "My wife Danielle Victoria Ryles found the carcass while going on her evening stroll. All four legs were chopped off as if someone wanted to have the cat as a meal," said Christian Bernard De Mello on Friday (Aug 20).

       De Mello, 40, said he adopted the male cat who later he named "Blackie" after a feral cat gave birth to four kittens in his kitchen in October 2019.

       "Blackie has since stayed with us until he went missing four days ago," he said.

       The couple manages a botanical gallery at Jalan Bendahara here.

       De Mello said he has also alerted the local Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) councillor about the fate of Blackie.

       "Hopefully, other cats are not killed in such a manner," he added.