State investigators are looking for the person or persons responsible after finding seven dead cats at the Ke‘ehi Small Boat Harbor in Honolulu from Oct. 19 to Oct. 29.

State officials are looking for the person or persons responsible for the deaths of several feral cats whose bodies were recently discovered at the Ke’ehi Small Boat Harbor in Honolulu.

According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, staff from the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation discovered the body of one feral cat that appeared to be decapitated on Oct. 17.

Then on Oct. 29, the bodies of seven more cats were found at the harbor with injuries that appeared to be non-natural. Now, an investigation is underway. DOBOR Administrator Meghan Statts called the killings “cruel and inhumane behavior” and it is illegal.

According to the department, it is also against the law at all state small boat harbors to feed animals including feral cats. Officials say signs are posted across the harbor, yet people are often seen feeding cats there. Many of the deceased cats were found next to piles of food that had been spread on the ground or pavement.

“We try to educate people as best as we can. The reason DOBOR implemented rules prohibiting feeding of feral animals is that cats are known to spread the disease toxoplasmosis, which can be deadly for critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals,” Statts said in a news release. “Boat harbors are not appropriate places for cat colonies and while the feeding may be well-intentioned, people need to realize they could be contributing to the deaths of one of Hawai’i’s iconic marine mammals.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to report it on the DLNRTip app or by calling the DOCARE hotline at 643-3567. Tipsters can remain anonymous.