Cat found dead, rod lodged through skull
Troy, NY (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008
County: Rensselaer
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
A reward of $1,000 was offered Friday by an anonymous Albany attorney for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the brutal killing of a cat that was found on the Congress Street Bridge early Wednesday morning, according to local Humane Society officials.
Brad Shear, the executive director of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, said that the distressed attorney contacted him Thursday, wanting to help catch whoever was responsible for the crime.
"He was outraged by the case and wants justice for this defenseless animal," Shear said.
The cat, which was described as a black-and-white short-haired domestic animal approximately 6 months old, was found by Watervliet Police around 6 a.m. in the west-bound lane on the north side of the bridge, according to police.
The animal was wrapped in a tan, blood-stained painter's tarp with a small, 6-inch metal rod lodged through its skull, which police speculated could have been fired from a nail gun or other construction tool.
Another cat was found brutally mutilated on June 8 in weighted yellow luggage in the shallow water of the Hudson River near Bruno Machinery. A total of $3,000 in reward money has been offered by the Humane Society of the United States and the New York State Humane Association for information on the death of that animal.
Police have yet to find a direct link between the two cases, but have noted that they are similar and both under investigation.
"This is really unusual and it's frightening, actually, because someone who would do this to a cat will inevitably move on to human victims when the opportunity arises," said Shear, who noted that there have been other recent animal cruelty incidents in both Albany and Colonie this week. "Something is happening and I think we need to work together with the local police departments in order to get a handle on it."
In light of these recent incidents, as well as others across the state, Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco, R-Schenectady, renewed his call to strengthen Buster's Law in a statement released Friday.
Tedisco would like to see those convicted of animal cruelty under the law forced to undergo psychiatric evaluations to show that they are capable of caring for a companion animal before being allowed to own one again.
"It's disturbing that someone could do such a horrible thing to a harmless animal," said Tedisco. "We need to strengthen Buster's Law so individuals who would abuse animals are properly punished."
Under Buster's Law, named after an 18-month-old tabby cat that was doused with kerosene and burned to death by a Schenectady teen in 1997, those found guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals are currently punishable by up to two years n prison and a $5,000 fine.
A connection between animal cruelty and human violence has long been documented with studies showing a correlation between it and a number of other crimes, according to HSUS officials.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the reward for information on the death of the animal found on the Congress Street Bridge may contact the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society at 434-8128.
Those with further information on either incident should contact Troy Police detectives at 270-4430. If you have information on this case, please contact:
Troy Police
270-4430
References« NY State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Rensselaer County, NY
|
