Kane Co. cops find hanged cat at suspicious fire

Kane County sheriff's police are investigating the hanging death of a cat found at the scene of a suspicious barn fire Sunday in Big Rock Township.

The adult cat was found hanging from a noose tied to a rafter inside a silo on the 45W000 block of Scott Road after firefighters extinguished a blaze in a nearby barn on the property, according to a police report.

Lt. Pat Gengler said multiple juveniles were seen in the area shortly before the fire, but police so far have been unable to track them down for questioning. He said investigators are looking into whether the cat's death and the fire were related.

"Was it two simultaneous things? Were they independent to each other?" he said. "There might not be any relation between the two, but you have to at least assume maybe there is."

The fire was reported about 5 p.m. by a firefighter who told police he happened upon the scene and saw two young people wearing hoods walking away from the fire. They walked toward a dark colored four-door car, possibly a newer-model Ford, with rear window tint, police said.

Police said no one was hurt in the blaze, which mostly destroyed hay being stored in the barn.

Investigators collected three plastic bags found near the cat, which was discovered in a routine sweep of the property. The bags are being dusted for fingerprints, Gengler said, but the results "could take several months."

The Big Rock Fire Protection District did not immediately respond to a call for comment. Police said the investigation is ongoing and arson has not been ruled out.