$5,000 reward in investigation of shot local cat
WAKEMAN, Ohio (WJW) — An animal rescue group is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for shooting and maiming a cat with a shotgun, the Fox 8 I-TEAM is reporting.
Alley Cat Allies is offering the reward and stated the cat, named George, was found injured in the Lorain County village of Wakeman Saturday.
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“Alley Cat Allies is seeking justice for George, the cat victim of the shooting, and we’re acting to protect more cats in the area from unimaginable cruelty,” said Coryn Julien, communications director for Alley Cat Allies.
“The well-known link between animal cruelty and violence toward people also factors into the gravity of this crime, which must be taken very seriously and penalized to the fullest extent of the law,” she added.
The rescue group states that George, a 3-year-old community cat, or un-owned cat who lives outdoors, walked up to his caregiver in Wakeman, on Saturday morning. George’s rear left leg dangling behind him and he was taken to a veterinarian.
An exam revealed a buckshot in his shattered leg, demonstrating that George had been maimed by a shotgun, a press release from the rescue group states.
“The damage is so severe that George’s injured leg will have to be surgically amputated,” the release further noted.
Alley Cat Allies is covering the costs of George’s surgery and ongoing care.
“For George’s sake and that of the entire community, we are working with Alley Cat Allies to investigate and prosecute the perpetrator of this heinous act,” said Greg Willey, executive director at Friendship APL in Elyria. “We are urging anyone with information regarding this case to come forward to assist the ongoing investigation.”
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Anyone with information is asked to contact the Friendship Animal Protective League (APL) humane investigations hotline at (440) 322-4321 x 225.
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