FLANDERS, NJ—The HSUS is offering a $2,500 reward for
information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person
or persons responsible for killing a cat found last week along
a road in Dutchess County, New York. The cat was found alive,
but his body was riddled with multiple gunshot wounds from a BB
gun.
On May 22, officers with the Dutchess County SPCA received a
report of a cat who had possibly been hit by a car on West
Dorsey Lane in Hyde Park. The officers arrived to find a
gray-haired cat in the road. He was still alive but severely
injured and was taken to Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital. A
veterinarian at the hospital examined the cat, who was
affectionately named “Justice” by Dutchess County SPCA
staffers. Justice had been shot with a BB gun more than 30
times and also suffered from a broken femur and broken pelvis.
There was no evidence to indicate the cat had been hit by a
car, according to the veterinarian. Due to the severity of his
injuries, Justice was euthanized.
“Anyone capable of such brutal treatment of an animal poses
a potential danger to other animals and people in the
community,” said Samantha Mullen, program coordinator for The
HSUS Mid-Atlantic Regional Office in Flanders. “The connection
between animal abuse and violence against humans is well
documented. We hope this reward will help bring those
responsible for this crime to justice before another animal or
possibly a person gets hurt.”
The HSUS First Strike Campaign® raises public awareness and
educates communities about the connection between animal
cruelty and human violence, while providing a variety of
resources to law enforcement agencies, social work
professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS
also offers rewards for animal cruelty cases nationwide and
works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty.
In New York, aggravated cruelty to companion animals is a
felony that carries a maximum fine of $5,000 and two years in
prison. The Humane Law Division of The Dutchess County SPCA is
vigorously investigating this case. Anyone with information is
asked to call 845-452-7722, ext. 3.
The HSUS is the nation’s largest animal protection
organization with more than seven million members and
constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals with
active programs in companion animals and equine protection,
wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm
animals and sustainable agriculture. For nearly 50 years, The
HSUS has protected all animals through legislation, litigation,
investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The
non-profit organization is based in Washington, DC and has 10
regional offices across the country. The HSUS Mid-Atlantic
Regional Office serves New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and
Delaware. For more information on The HSUS First Strike
Campaign, visit The HSUS Web site - www.hsus.org/firststrike.
