Starting on July 19, 2024, residents of Kangqiao Bandao Chengzhong Garden in Pudong, Shanghai, reported that about 20 cats had died within 12 days, and one pet dog convulsed and died after a walk. The Paper’s repost of a “Micro Shanghai” report said witnesses described convulsions and foaming at the mouth before death. A dying orange kitten was taken to a veterinary hospital and later died of organ failure. Police intervened, and veterinarians dissected the dead orange cat under police observation; organs were to be sent for professional testing.

Twelve days of deaths among cats and one pet dog

The report said several residents of Kangqiao Bandao Chengzhong Garden stated that, beginning July 19, about 20 cats died within 12 days, and one pet dog also died. Witnesses described convulsions and foaming at the mouth before death.

Resident Mr. Huang said that on July 29 he found one kitten already dead and another orange cat convulsing and crying nearby. He took the orange cat to a veterinary hospital, but it died of organ failure. Based on similarities among multiple cats, the attending veterinarian suspected poisoning or an acute episode of chronic disease; the exact cause still required organ testing.

A pet dog also died; police and veterinarians intervened

One pet dog also died in the same period. Ms. Yang said that after walking her five-year companion dog in the estate on the morning of July 28, the dog soon convulsed and died, and vomit included some cat food. Her family called police after noticing the abnormal circumstances.

On July 31, veterinarians dissected the dead orange cat under police observation, and the organs were to be sent for professional testing. This boundary matters: before laboratory results are public, this archive uses “suspected poisoning” and “suspected deliberate poisoning” rather than naming a poison, offender or final cause as confirmed fact.

Conflict cannot be solved with poison

The report also noted disagreement in the 2,000-household estate over feeding stray cats. Some residents said cat food was often discarded or covered with foamy liquid or bleach; others used trap cages to capture cats and dump them far away. Many public surveillance cameras were not functioning, deepening residents’ concerns.

Stray-animal management needs rules, dialogue and community coordination. But if poison is placed in a shared space, the target is no longer one cat or dog. It may harm more animals and endanger children, older residents or anyone passing by.

These cats and dogs did not take part in any dispute. They were eating, walking through the estate or accompanying their guardians, yet they left amid convulsions, vomiting and organ failure. Recording them is a way to say that such deaths are not a nuisance to be endured quietly; humane treatment of living beings and public safety belong on the same side.

Timeline

• From July 19, 2024: Residents reported abnormal cat deaths beginning in the estate.
• July 28, 2024: Ms. Yang said her pet dog convulsed and died after a walk; her family called police.
• July 29, 2024: Mr. Huang found a dead kitten and a convulsing orange cat, then sent the orange cat to a veterinary hospital.
• July 31, 2024: Veterinarians dissected the dead orange cat under police observation; organs were to be tested.
• August 1, 2024: The Paper reposted the “Micro Shanghai” report, saying police had intervened.

Public Sources

This record is based on The Paper’s repost of “Micro Shanghai.” The number of deaths, symptoms, pet dog death, police intervention and necropsy are recorded from public reporting; before laboratory results are public, the archive uses “suspected poisoning” and “suspected deliberate poisoning.”

• The Paper / 澎湃新闻：上海一小区二十多只猫狗离奇死亡，疑似有人投毒，警方已介入