Podcasts > Last Podcast On The Left > Side Stories: Cat Crimes

Side Stories: Cat Crimes

By Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski

Bizarre and unsettling feline-related incidents are covered in this episode of Last Podcast on the Left. Marvel at the mystery of precisely shaven cats in the UK's "Phantom Cat Shaver" cases. Then, brace yourself for a harrowing encounter between cyclists and a cougar in Washington state.

The episode also examines an audacious scheme where two women transported a deceased man's body to withdraw cash from his bank account. The casual nature of this macabre plan amplifies its shock factor. Whether you're an animal lover or a true crime buff, this summary will surely pique your curiosity.

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Side Stories: Cat Crimes

This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Mar 30, 2024 episode of the Last Podcast On The Left

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Side Stories: Cat Crimes

1-Page Summary

Cat shaving incidents in the UK

Ed Larson and Henry Zebrowski discuss over 100 reported cases of household cats being mysteriously and precisely shaved overnight, often with razor or clippers. These "Phantom Cat Shaver" incidents have concerned owners, particularly in southeast Britain, with one case even occurring in Norfolk.

Attack on cyclists by cougars in Washington state

A cyclist in Washington state was attacked and bitten severely in the face by a cougar. The other cyclists fought off the aggressive animal for 45 minutes through desperate measures like hitting, stabbing, and pinning it down. Authorities eventually arrived and shot the cougar to ensure public safety.

Women transport corpse to bank to withdraw cash

Karen Cash Bombs and Laureen Farallo used their deceased 80-year-old housemate's body to withdraw $900 from his bank account, aided by a male friend to move the heavy corpse. The bank had previously allowed them to "assist" the man with transactions while alive. The women claimed their plan was to visit the hospital next.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Phantom Cat Shaver incidents in the UK involve cases where household cats are mysteriously shaved overnight by an unknown individual using razors or clippers. These incidents have caused concern among cat owners, especially in southeast Britain, due to the unusual and precise nature of the shavings. The perpetrators behind these acts remain unidentified, leading to speculation and unease within the affected communities.
  • In Washington state, a cyclist was attacked by a cougar, leading to a severe facial injury. Other cyclists intervened and fought the cougar for 45 minutes before authorities arrived and shot the animal to protect public safety.
  • Karen Cash Bombs and Laureen Farallo used their deceased housemate's body to withdraw cash as a means of committing fraud. They exploited the situation by taking advantage of the bank's previous acceptance of their assistance with the man's transactions while he was alive. The women's actions were deceptive and unethical, involving using the deceased individual's body to access his funds illegally. This incident highlights a disturbing case of financial exploitation and misuse of a deceased person's identity for personal gain.

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Side Stories: Cat Crimes

Cat shaving incidents in the UK

Ed Larson and Henry Zebrowski discuss a peculiar series of events that have cat owners across the UK on high alert: the mysterious and precise shaving of over a hundred cats, referred to as the work of the "Phantom Cat Shaver."

Over 100 incidents reported of cats being mysteriously shaved overnight

The hosts open with a reference to the “Phantom Cat Shaver” striking again, indicating a spree of mysterious pet shavings. They detail over 100 reported incidents, signifying a widespread occurrence. Tammy Callum’s cat, Flo, from Costessey, Norfolk, adds to the count after being shaved, suggesting the possibility of a regional concentration.

Shaving being done precisely, with razor or clippers

The shaving is not haphazard but executed with precision. One cat, as described by Ed Larson and Henry Zebrowski, had a precise stripe shaved on its back, suggesting that the culprit used something more adept than a basic razor—likely clippers. This detailed grooming insinuates the animals were compliant or potentially subdued during the shaving.

Incidents concentrated in sout ...

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Cat shaving incidents in the UK

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Ed Larson and Henry Zebrowski are hosts of a podcast or show discussing unusual and mysterious events, such as the peculiar cat shaving incidents in the UK. They provide commentary and analysis on these incidents, often adding humor and perspective to the discussion. Their role in the text serves to present the information and engage the audience in the topic at hand.
  • The significance of the shaving incidents lies in the mysterious and precise nature of the shavings, indicating a deliberate and potentially planned act. The fact that over 100 incidents have been reported suggests a pattern or trend, raising concerns about the welfare of the affected animals. The concentrated nature of the incidents in southeast UK, with a few outliers like the one in Scotland, adds to the intrigue and mystery surrounding the "Phantom Cat Shaver." The hosts' discussion about the legality and potential abuse involved in these acts underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for public awareness and vigilance.
  • The shaving incidents involving cats in the UK are characterized by a mysterious perpetrator, dubbed the "Phantom Cat Shaver," who has been targeting cats and shaving them with precision. The shaving is done meticulously, with some cats having specific patterns shaved on their fur, indicating a deliberate and careful approach by the culprit. These incidents are primarily concentrated in southeast Britain, with a few reported cases in other r ...

Counterarguments

  • The number of incidents and their precise nature could be exaggerated or misreported, as sometimes happens with unusual stories that capture public attention.
  • The assumption that the animals were compliant or subdued is speculative without direct evidence; there could be other explanations for the precision of the shaving.
  • The concentration of incidents in southeast UK and the singular event in Scotland might not accurately represent the geographic distribution of the phenomenon; it could be that incidents elsewhere are underreported o ...

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Side Stories: Cat Crimes

Attack on cyclists by cougars in Washington state

In Washington state, cyclists faced a harrowing encounter when they were attacked by a cougar. The incident brought to light the dangers that wildlife can pose even to those engaging in everyday outdoor activities.

One cyclist attacked and bitten severely in the face

During the event, one of the cyclists was attacked and bitten severely in the face by the cougar. The suddenness and severity of the attack were alarming, leaving the cyclist in critical condition due to the injuries sustained.

Other cyclists fought off the cougar for 45 minutes by hitting, stabbing and pinning it down

In an extraordinary act of bravery and survival, the other cyclists in the group fought off the cougar for 45 minutes. They used whatever means available, hitting, stabbing, and even pinning the animal down in their desperate efforts to defend themselves and their companion.

Authorities eventually had to shoot the aggressi ...

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Attack on cyclists by cougars in Washington state

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Cougar behavior: Cougars, also known as mountain lions, are solitary and elusive predators that typically avoid humans. However, encounters can occur in areas where their habitat overlaps with human activity, leading to conflicts.

Human encounters: When cougars do encounter humans, their behavior can vary from avoidance to aggression, with attacks being rare but possible, especially if the cougar feels threatened or cornered.

Precautions: To reduce the risk of conflicts with cougars, it's important for people to be aware of cougar behavior, avoid hiking or biking alone in cougar territory, and know how to respond calmly and assertively if they encounter one.

Response to attacks: In cases of cougar attacks, quick thinking, making oneself appear larger, maintaining eye contact, and slowly backing away can help de-escalate the situation and prevent further aggression.

  • Authorities were forced to shoot the cougar as ...

Counterarguments

...

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Side Stories: Cat Crimes

Women transport corpse to bank to withdraw cash

Two women took their deceased housemate's body to the bank in a disturbing attempt to withdraw money from his account.

Two women took their dead housemate's body to the bank to withdraw $900 from his account

Karen Cash Bombs and Laureen Farallo, in a macabre turn of events, used the corpse of their live-in housemate, 80-year-old Douglas Layman, to withdraw the last $900 from his bank account. This event appears to have been planned as they involved a male friend to help with the transport due to Layman's body being too heavy to move on their own.

This was not the first time the bank allowed them to "assist" the man with transactions

The situation at the bank wasn't without precedent; Cosbom and Farallo had been attending the bank for months to assist Layman with his banking. The bank had previously allowed them to withdraw money with the corpse on these past visits, according to the transcript provided.

T ...

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Women transport corpse to bank to withdraw cash

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The deceased man's body was taken to the bank by the two women to withdraw the last $900 from his account. They had been assisting him with his banking previously and attempted to withdraw money using his body after his passing. The women claimed they planned to transport the body to the hospital after visiting the ATM, suggesting a plan to deal with the situation after accessing the funds.
  • The legality and ethics of using a deceased person's body to access their funds involve issues related to fraud, desecration of a corpse, and potential breaches of banking regulations. Such actions can lead to criminal charges and civil liabilities for those involved. Additionally, ethi ...

Counterarguments

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