Kittens killed after shelter break-in
Fayetteville, AR (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008
County: Jefferson
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Animal shelter workers are trying to figure out who killed 10 kittens _ and why.
A parking lot sweeper found six dead kittens Thursday _ the day after the animals were stolen from Springdale Animal Services. Five of the kittens were four weeks old and were taken from their mother, who was pining for them.
"We've been asking 'why' all day," said Teresa Johnson, the shelter's assistant manager. "Why?"
The six dead kittens were among 20 cats released from their cages during a break-in Wednesday, said Jill Hatfield, the superintendent of the Fayetteville Animal Shelter. Four other dead kittens were found at the Springdale shelter.
"They did terrible things," she said. "Some were thrown in dog pens inside the shelter. Luckily none of the dogs did anything."
The fate of the other 10 kittens wasn't known. It's possible they escaped.
Nothing was stolen in the break-in.
The Humane Society of the Ozarks is offering a $2,500 reward.
Police are investigating whether the break-in is related to one at the Fayetteville shelter last month. The night of Aug. 9, someone freed dogs and cats from their cages.
"They didn't harm any of the animals at our shelter, so we aren't sure if the two incidents are related," Hatfield said.
Animal cruelty is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Arkansas is one of only five states in the country with animal cruelty laws that do not have felony provisions.
"We want these folks caught," Hatfield said. If you have information on this case, please contact:
Springdale Police Department
(479 ) 750-4484
Case UpdatesThe Humane Society of the United States is offering a $ 2, 500 reward for information in connection with the break-in at Springdale Animal Services that left 11 kittens dead and 10 more missing.
Someone entered through an unlocked window overnight Wednesday at 321 Randall Wobbe Road, opened all the cat cages and killed four kittens by throwing them against the ground, shelter officials said.
Seven kittens wearing shelter collars were found dead Thursday morning in The Home Depot parking lot at 675 E. Joyce Blvd. in Fayetteville.
Police on Friday said they had no evidence or suspects but will check surveillance video from The Home Deport for leads.
"The lack of evidence is exactly why we offer a reward," said Dale Bartlett, spokesman for the national humane society in Washington, D. C. "People who are capable of this kind of violence are dangerous, and often witnesses are reluctant to come forward. By putting $ 2, 500 in the mix, we hope to combat that reluctance." Five of the dead kittens were only 4 weeks old and were taken from their nursing mother, officials said.
Some cats and kittens removed from their cages were placed in cages with dogs, but none of those animals were harmed.
Springdale Police Capt. Laney Morriss, commander of the detective division, said the crime scene was checked for fingerprints, but found none. They have no obvious motive, she said.
"We wish we could investigate more, but we don't have anything to go on at this point," Morriss said.
Operators at other animal shelters in Northwest Arkansas said they've had break-ins, but none where animals were killed.
"Someone came in a few years ago and released all our animals, but that seemed to be more activist-motivated," said Clay Morgan, director of the Rogers Humane Society. "This sounds more like someone who either has a beef with the Springdale animal shelter, or is just plain deranged." State Sen. Sue Madison, who is working on a proposal to make animal cruelty a felony crime, said police need to work hard to catch the kitten killers.
"Someone who would bash the skulls of an animal has a very sick mind," Madison, DFayetteville, said. "Part of what we're proposing would require prosecutors to see that people convicted of these crimes get psychiatric help." Madison's 2007 bill cleared the Senate but died in a House committee. It dealt with cruelty by torture, killing an animal in an especially depraved manner or failing to provide care for the animal that resulted in its prolonged suffering or death, she said.
Madison said she hopes to submit another proposal in the 2009 legislative session.
Cruelty to animals in Arkansas is considered a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $ 1, 000. Over the years, legislative attempts to make the crime a felony have failed.
The $ 2, 500 reward being offered in the Springdale case is sponsored in part by the Humane Society of the Ozarks.
Anyone with information may call the Springdale Police Department anonymous tip line at (479 ) 750-4484. | Source: NWA News - Sept 13, 2008
Update posted on Sep 13, 2008 - 5:37PM |
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