Stray cats shot with arrows
Fort Smith, AR (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Mar 13, 2008
County: Sebastian
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
The abuse of several wild stray cats in Crawford County has prompted the animal rights group PETA - the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - to cooperate with the Sebastian County Humane Society in an attempt to end the abuse and bring those responsible to justice.
Sebastian County Humane Society Executive Director JoAnn Barton said when PETA representatives called her last week she was immediately familiar with the location where they said several cats had been shot with arrows.
"This was a feeding station being maintained by me personally for about three years," Barton said. She began the action after numerous strays likely abandoned by owners began to congregate in the area. She said there had been about 15 cats at the location, all of them too feral to be caught and put up for adoption.
Barton said PETA officials told her the organization was contacted by a local family who came upon several wounded cats while fishing at Lock and Dam 13 on the Arkansas River.
Four cats were found dead, and three others were found alive with arrows still in them. Some appeared to have been disemboweled by efforts to removed the arrows. Another had apparently chewed its own flesh, trying to remove a projectile, according to Barton.
The family took one of the cats that had been paralyzed by an arrow to a local veterinarian. The cat had to be euthanized because of the severity of her injuries; the others have yet to be caught.
Humane Society representatives and a Crawford County Sheriff's Deputy searched the area for the wounded cats, but they were not located.
She said Crawford County authorities indicated they would ask other law enforcement agencies in the area to be on the lookout for the animals or their attackers.
Barton said the Humane Society offered a $1,000 reward for information that would lead to the apprehension of whoever did the shooting. PETA offered to add another $2,500 to the reward.
"We're hoping that amount will be enough to bring someone forward," Barton said.
She said while PETA does not typically become involved in such cases, the organization "does not consider this a small incident, because of the links to animal abuse and human abuse."
In a news release announcing the reward, PETA Manager Martin Merserau called those responsible "cowards," adding, "They take their issues out on the most defenseless beings available to them. Area residents have reason to be concerned.
"According to leading mental health professionals and law enforcement agencies, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to all animals, including humans."
PETA also urges residents of the area not to leave animals outside unattended.
Barton said the injuries to the animals were reported early Thursday. The attacks could have occurred the night before.
She said judging from the number of animals killed and wounded, it is likely more than one person participated.
Barton also encourages anyone with information call her at the Sebastian County Humane Society at (479) 783-4395. If you have information on this case, please contact:
Sebastian County Humane Society
(479) 783-4395
References
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