Sigh.... rough night....updated. The saga continues.

Oh, yuck! Glad you didn't get hurt. Whatever it was, coyote, bobcat, cougar, will be back for the others. Wildlife is getting very brazen down here. They are even taking big dogs, boxers, shepherds, etc. Sad cases on the news several times a week.

At least you kept a dozen or more kittens from being born last year.
Maybe feed the ferals cold food in the mornings instead of warm food at night. The smell of it may be calling the critters.