Stalking Cat (born Dennis Avner; August 27, 1958 – November 5, 2012)[1] was an American man known for his extensive body modifications, which were intended to increase his resemblance to a tiger.[2] For his 14 surgical procedures towards that goal, he held a world record for "most permanent transformations to look like an animal".[3][4][5] "Stalking Cat" was his chosen name.
In the early 1980s, guided by his personal vision and feelings of affinity for the tigress, Stalking Cat began tattooing and surgically modifying his face.[6] In interviews, he repeatedly stated that he chose to alter his physical appearance in accordance with what he believed was an ancient Wyandot tradition;[2] however, this was his personal belief, not traditional practice. He also told people he grew up in a tribe and had been told to change his form to that of a tiger by a medicine man.[2]
While living in San Diego, he met Tess Calhoun at a furry convention. Over several years, he formed a close friendship with Calhoun and her husband, Rick Weiss.[7] In 2005, Weiss's job with Boeing required the couple to move to Washington, and they asked Stalking Cat, then aged 47, to join them. The trio moved to Freeland, Washington, on Whidbey Island, where Stalking Cat helped fix up their house.[8]
Stalking Cat, Calhoun, and Weiss were active in the furry community, both online and at conventions. They held monthly gatherings for members of the furry community at their home. Stalking Cat became well known in the furry community and has a biography on WikiFur.[9] He had financial troubles, and in August 2007, he posted publicly on his online journal that he needed a new place to live. Calhoun posted that she and her husband simply could not afford to support him anymore.[10][11] She also posted that they would be throwing him a send-off party.[12] In September 2007, at age 49, Stalking Cat moved to Tonopah, Nevada.
Death
On November 5, 2012, he was found dead in his garage, with a gun on the floor.[13][14] He was 54 years old. News of the death became public one week later. In an online post, BMEzine founder Shannon Larratt wrote that his death was a suicide.[2]
Body modifications
Description of modifications
Many of Stalking Cat's body modifications were performed by Arizona-based artist Steve Haworth. The first artist to begin the extensive tattoo work on Stalking Cat's face was Larry Hanks in San Diego, California, who started the work in 1985.[15] He had over 14 modifications,[6] including:
Future modification plans included a plan for implants on top of his head, for mounting tiger-like ears.[16]
Medical ethics concerns
Glenn McGee, director of the Center for Bioethics at Albany Medical College in New York, said: "Cosmetic surgery is a practice based on informed consent that needs to balance the risks with the benefits. It is possible to have a coherent view that is nonetheless detrimental to one's well-being. This is a patient who's being harmed by medicine in the interest of his tradition."[7]
