The West Kelowna RCMP is investigating after a person in a Cat in the Hat–style costume allegedly chased a teenage girl near Shamrock Drive on Aug. 24; the teen escaped unharmed. A wider online trend of edited or AI-generated images depicting a sinister Cat in the Hat near schools and homes has prompted school warnings and police inquiries across several U.S. states. Authorities warn that wearing a costume isn’t illegal by itself but pursuing someone or spreading threatening posts can lead to criminal charges; they urge people to preserve evidence and not to repost.
Sinister 'Cat in the Hat' Trend Prompts School Alerts After Costumed Figure Allegedly Chases Teen in Canada
A grainy nighttime image shows an unidentified person wearing a Cat in the Hat-style costume as authorities investigate the disturbing trend.
A person wearing a costume resembling Dr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat allegedly chased a teenage girl through a West Kelowna, British Columbia, neighbourhood on the night of Aug. 24, prompting a Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigation and renewed concern about a disturbing social media trend.
A phone displays a viral social media video showing a costumed Cat in the Hat figure standing outside a Publix store at night.
The West Kelowna RCMP said the unidentified teen was walking near the 2000 block of Shamrock Drive at about 9 p.m. when someone in a Cat in the Hat–style outfit began pursuing her. The girl escaped and reached home safely. Investigators are reviewing a grainy nighttime image and asking residents to check doorbell, security and dashcam footage from the area.
An edited image places a Cat in the Hat figure outside a small-town theater alongside a message suggesting an extended "visit."
What Authorities Are Saying
"Regardless of whether the individual intended the behavior as a joke, following a young person and causing them to fear for their safety is extremely concerning,"— Cpl. Devon Gerrits, West Kelowna RCMP.
Police stressed that wearing a costume alone is not a crime. However, behaviour that follows or pursues someone in a way that causes reasonable fear may amount to criminal harassment. Depending on the circumstances and evidence, charges such as assault, threats or intimidation could also be considered.
Social media posts show a person in a Cat in the Hat costume referencing George West, Texas.
Related Online Trend and School Warnings
Law enforcement agencies across multiple U.S. states have also responded to a viral trend in which edited or AI-generated images and videos show a sinister Cat in the Hat figure near homes, schools and public places. Some anonymous accounts have added the names of students, staff, campuses and towns, sometimes with ominous messages.
A social media post shows a Cat in the Hat figure with an ominous message referencing Northampton and the Rushden and Higham area.
Authorities in California, Florida, Virginia and Texas increased patrols, opened investigations and warned school communities after posts referenced local campuses or individuals. In Baldwin Park, California, police said they were reviewing "concerning social media posts" that named students and staff. Hanover County, Virginia, temporarily boosted campus security after posts referenced Mechanicsville High School.
A disturbing social media post shows a Cat in the Hat figure beneath a local water tower with the message, "look familiar?"
Juvenile Arrests And Legal Risks
Investigations have led to arrests in several jurisdictions. In Berwick, Louisiana, four girls aged 13 to 15 were arrested after police linked them to TikTok accounts that alarmed families and schools; three faced terrorizing or menacing charges and a fourth was charged with cyberbullying. Other reports tie a 12-year-old in Florida and a 14-year-old in Colorado to posts related to the trend. Authorities in Alabama, Ohio and Kentucky have also reported juvenile arrests or pending charges connected to similar material.
Law enforcement repeatedly cautioned that creating, re-posting or amplifying threatening content can have real legal consequences — from school discipline to criminal charges, including cyberbullying, harassment or terroristic threats in some jurisdictions.
What To Do If You Encounter Threatening Content Or Feel Threatened
- Do not share or repost threatening content; forwarding can amplify the threat and hinder investigations.
- Preserve evidence by saving screenshots that show the account name, timestamps and any messages, then send them directly to school officials or police.
- If you believe you are being followed or are in immediate danger, move to a populated area, contact a trusted adult and call emergency services.
Fox News Digital contacted TikTok for comment. Local departments said they continue to monitor social platforms while coordinating protective measures for campuses and neighbourhoods.
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