Investigation underway after video appears to show substance poured on cat food in Chester

CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- Investigators are analyzing evidence after executing a search warrant tied to a video that appears to show a substance being poured onto cat food in a Chester neighborhood.

The video, which surfaced online over the weekend, appears to show a woman pouring what looks like bleach onto piles of cat food as a well-known neighborhood cat approaches to sniff it.

The cat, a 16-year-old named Jumper, is familiar to many on Rose Street.

"Everybody knows this cat. This cat is like the block's cat," said its owner, Olivia Oliver.

She immediately recognized her pet in the video.

"When I looked at the video, I was like, 'That's my cat!'" Oliver said.

It did not appear that Jumper ate any of the food, but neighbors say several cats frequent the area. One resident, who did not want to be identified, regularly feeds and shelters stray cats and said the video was alarming.

"You pour bleach on an outfit and watch it put a hole right through it. So you can imagine what it would do to these animals," the neighbor said.

The video was reported to the Pennsylvania SPCA, which quickly launched an investigation.

"Our officers have been out there. We have executed a search warrant. We are pending lab results to determine what the next steps are," said Gillian Kocher with the PSPCA.

Investigators are testing the substance seen in the video to determine exactly what it is. Authorities say potential charges will depend on those results.

"Of course, we can all see the video, but we have to find the evidence. Was this, in fact, bleach or some other substance to pour on the food to potentially cause poisonous effects or harm the animals?" Kocher said.

Neighbors say they are relieved the case is being taken seriously, while Jumper's owner is taking extra precautions to keep him safe.

"Right now I'm just making sure he stays on the porch, keep him hydrated, keep him from wanting to go across the street," Oliver said.

Investigators are asking the public to stop calling and emailing about the case, saying the volume of messages is tying up staff who are already working on the investigation.