DES MOINES, Iowa The HSUS is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of a black cat at the Iowa City/Coralville Animal Care & Adoption Center on Halloween night.
The Case:
According to the Press Citizen, on the morning of November 1, employees of the center found the cat duct taped, crucifix-style, to an 8-foot-tall white cross nearby. A necropsy is being performed to see if the cat died before being strapped to the wooden slats and if a six-inch slice down the abdomen played any part in the feline's demise.
According to the center director, the center stops black cat adoptions two weeks prior and after Halloween and issues press announcements relating to animal safety. They have not had Halloween related problems in the past.
Animal Cruelty:
The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. The HSUS First Strike Campaign® raises public awareness and educates communities about this connection while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS offers rewards in animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty. Visit our First Strike website.
The Investigators:
Two agencies in Iowa City are pursuing this case. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Iowa City/Coralville Animal Care & Adoption Center at 319-356-5295 or the Iowa City Police at 319-356-5275.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than eight 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. The HSUS protects all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The non-profit organization, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2004, is based in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.
The HSUS Midwest Regional Office serves Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska.
