Cat shot in the head with arrow, left to die
Garden City, ID (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 20, 2009
County: Gem
Disposition: Not Charged
Case Images: 1 files available
Abuser names unreleased
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A cat has been found in Gem County with an arrow through its head after being left for dead.
Sherri Schneider, executive director of Simply Cats, a cats-only shelter and adoption center, said a good samaritan brought the cat in on Tuesday.
"This was a deliberate act," Schneider said. "It's a horrible crime - I've never seen anything like this before."
The cat, nicknamed "Valentine" underwent successful brain surgery Tuesday afternoon at West Vet Emergency and Specialty Center in Garden City. The female cat will be blind and deaf on its left side for the remainder of its life.
The doctor said it was a miracle and the arrow just barely missed the spine.
In surgery, veterinarians found a BB pellet inside the cat's side - a sign, employees say, that indicates the cat's likely been used as target practice in the past.
"It makes you want to cry, it's so disturbing," Schneider said. "It says a lot about society, it's heartbreaking. The cat was used as target practice and some people think it's OK."
A report has been filed with the Gem County's Sheriff's office, said Dru Jackson, client care manager at West Vet.
Jackson said the good samaritan who brought Valentine into the shelter says they suspect a neighbor's son was the alleged shooter.
The executive director of a cat rescue group, says they plan to help the cat recover and find a new home.
Case UpdatesA 12-year-old boy says he's responsible for shooting a cat with a bow and arrow.
The new information emerged Thursday morning, just a day after the Idaho Humane Society offered a reward for information on what was believed to be a case of animal cruelty.
The Gem County Sheriff's Office said they received information from West Vet, where the animal was taken Thursday, after it was discovered with an arrow right through it's eye.
Apparently, the boy shot at the cat to protect quail it was chasing, but he didn't think he injured it.
He let his dad know, who then passed the information on to officials.
The good news is that Valentine, as the lucky feline has been renamed, underwent surgery at Garden City's West Vet and is doing well.
Additionally, Simply Cats will be caring for Valentine post surgery. | Source: Fox 12 - Jan 24, 2009
Update posted on Jan 25, 2009 - 12:40AM |
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