There's a serial cat murderer on the loose in Jeddah.
The killer, who Saudi police are now trying to locate, went on a rampage shooting local street cats and uploading videos of the slaughter to social media, Newsweek reports. He also cursed those in his area who provide food and water to local cats, complaining that the animals damaged his car.
Saudi police have announced they have launched a manhunt for the perpetrator. Authorities have called his actions "disgraceful," saying they contradict the values of Saudi society and Islam.
"The ministry reaffirms that this disgraceful act stands contrary to the teaching of our Islamic faith, which calls for companionship with animals, and stands contrary to the regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said in a statement on Wednesday.
In one video, the man can be seen aiming a rifle at a cat drinking from a bowl of water. Another more sinister video shows the man utilizing the Snapchat cat face filter, as he curses neighbors for providing food and water to the animals. He says killing the cats saved him "the cost of four car washes."
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO
Thousands have posted their anger and outrage, demanding the killer be punished
How can he sleep?
Where is the humanity?
People are afraid to watch the horrible video
They want him locked up
And some are thinking of creative punishments ...
Game of Thrones' style punishments even ...
Jeddah residents also responded by organizing a feast for street cats.
Although police are searching for the man, Ahmad Al-Buq, a spokesman for the Saudi Nature Protection Agency told local media that the man will not likely face jail time. Al-Buq said that the cats are not protected along with other wildlife in the kingdom, but the man can be punished under the Saudi animal welfare laws. This means he could face a fine worth up to 400,000 Saudi riyals ($160,661).
The man's actions stand starkly in contrast with Islam and the Prophet Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad is believed to have been >a serious cat lover.
Numerous hadiths suggest that he forbade the killing or persecution of cats. He is also said to have had a favorite pet cat named Muezza.
According to one story, Muhammad once went to great lengths to avoid disturbing a sleeping cat. The animal was resting on the sleeve of the prophet's coat. Instead of waking the cat so he could wear the garment, the prophet cut the sleeve off, wearing the garment without it.