Case Details

Cats hung to death with rope
Johnson City, TN (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007
County: Washington
Local Map: available
Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case ID: 10771
Classification: Hanging
Animal: cat
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Animal was offleash or loose
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The Johnson City neighborhood at the intersection of Moorland and Greenway Drives may seem like a welcoming place for cats, but recently, it's been just the opposite.

In the last three weeks, Washington County-Johnson City Animal Shelter Director Debbie Dobbs say her officers have worked two cat deaths in the neighborhood. She says the criminal used the same kind of rope to hang both cats, likely someone's pets, later dumping their bodies in nearby yards. Blood still stains the twine.

"I would hate to think that somebody in our community would be this cruel and this mean," Dobbs said.

The noose works just like any other, however, unlike with humans, when the knot tightens, an animal does not die instantly.

"They're going to struggle more and their neck doesn't break by being hung like a human in a gallows," Dobbs said. "They're being suffocated and choked to death and it's a very painful death and during the whole time, they're struggling and fighting."

Tony Williams, a pet owner, lives in the neighborhood and is disturbed by the recent crimes.

"It's not right," Williams said. "I just don't think it's right to hurt animals. Why do that?"

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says animal abuse may be a sign of even bigger problems, referencing several murderers who had a history of animal cruelty.

Animal control officers also have concerns.

"If they would do this to someone's animal, I wouldn't put it past them what they would do to a person," Dobbs said.

She has requested extra patrols in the neighborhood and she urges neighbors to keep their eyes and ears open for suspicious activity. Tony Williams welcomes the request.

"For people to just go around and kill animals is not right and I hope they get caught and if I can help catch them I will," Williams said.

That willingness may prevent other pets from facing a slow and torturous death.

Officers hope to charge the person responsible with abuse and animal cruelty.

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References

Tri-Cities.Com - Feb 14, 2007

« TN State Animal Cruelty Map

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