Cat shot with blowgun - Roanoke, VA

Tuesday, Aug 31, 1999

County: Roanoke City

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Ranter Hoffman

Ranter Hoffman, 19, said he didn't mean to hit the cat when he fired a blow dart at the cat on his sister's car to frighten it away.

Hoffman entered a plea of not guilty for charges of animal cruelty, but admitted he blew a dart at the cat. Hoffman had seen this particular cat scratch and dirty cars in the North Ridge Apartment complex where he lived. So when the cat was sitting on his sister's brand new Hyundai in September, he fired a four-inch dart from his blowgun.

He said he had tried to scare the cat way before and had contacted the apartment's management about the cat but nothing was ever done.

When the cat's owner saw Hoffman shoot the dart he rushed out to his cat. The dart was embedded in its chest. Luckily the cat was not seriously hurt and did not need to go to the veterinarian.

Hoffman was sentenced to 40 hours of community service and his charges will be dismissed after a year of good behavior.

Hoffman admitted it wasn't the best way to shoo away the cat.

References

• The Roanoke VA Times - Dec 17, 1999

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