Authorities now say that two recent cat mutilations in the Largo area were not the result of cruelty to animals, as some suspected. Sheriff's detectives said in a Friday news release that they showed photos of one of the dead animals to Pinellas County Animal Control and were told "the cats were likely killed by dogs." They also found no evidence that a cutting instrument had been used.

The first animal was discovered dead on March 13 when the owner returned home at 5 p.m. to find part of the animal in the yard. She buried the remains before reporting it to deputies. The second animal was found April 4 by a resident walking his dog. Deputies were unable to find the owner.

Earlier, WTSP-TV reported that three cats had been mutilated in the Del Prado subdivision plus three more in an adjoining neighborhood, where two rabbits have met a similar fate in the past month. "It's not like my cat got run over. It's not like some random kid with a new BB gun just doing target practice. This is someone who intentionally cut our cat in half,'' said Kelly Paradise, whose cat, Oscar, was killed last weekend.