Some animal shelters in Alabama say they're not offering black cats for adoption this week because of fears they'll be abused during Halloween.
Colbert County animal control director Tommy Morson tells the TimesDaily (http://bit.ly/VwW84A) his agency won't adopt black cats the week of Halloween. He calls it an unwritten policy.
Florence animal control officer Delbert Rhodes says workers at the city shelter sometimes keep black cats in the back of the facility, away from public view, during this season.
Officials worry that the animals will be abused as a Halloween prank or used in rituals connected to the holiday.
It's unclear whether such practices actually occur. Franklin Animal Control Director Joey Wingo says he's never heard of any incidents in the area involving black cats used as sacrifices.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.