Cat Hanging In Rhode Island
by Elisa Black-Taylor
(USA)
This is about a case of cat hanging that is unfolding this week (24th Sept 2010) in East Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
To hang a poor helpless cat is beyond cruelty. I’d like to offer the readers here as much information on the case as possible with the intention of spreading the word to help bring justice to this poor cat.
This case of cat hanging is a really horrible example of animal cruelty and the police need help from the public in catching the person responsible for the cat’s death.
The hanging took place on Sunday, September 19 2010 on Roger Williams Avenue in East Providence.
The cat was found when a passerby was taking a walk with a grandchild. The child spotted the cat hanging from a tree on property belonging to Tony Almeida.
The president of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Dr. E.G. Finocchio, stated the cat definitely belonged to someone. This cat was well fed, not a stray, no fleas, and was wearing a pink collar with no identification.
Finocchio completed the necromancy on the cat Wednesday and his report stated the cat was still alive at the time of the hanging. This cat tried desperately to free himself. Examination showed there was bark and tree fiber in his mouth and stomach from trying to escape.
This act of animal cruelty was intentional. A shoelace had been tied around the cats collar then wrapped around a fence post and passed through a branch.
A video on the cat hanging can be found on this page (opens in a new tab/window).
Due to the graphic nature of the body, the police are not showing pictures of the cat around the neighborhood. They feel sure someone in the area would recognize the cat, which is described as a 5-7 year old gray and white male tabby. The cat was wearing a pink collar with no tags.
The police are unsure whether kids or adults are responsible. In either case, they are offering a $1500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Information can be called in to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at (401) 438-8150.
The maximum penalty for animal cruelty in Rhode Island is $1000 and 2 years in jail. Anyone who has information regarding this case is asked to report it immediately. This person needs to be punished. The area has had a few prior cases of animal abuse that were solved because a reward was offered.
Please spread the word about this cat and let’s hope the monster who did this is caught and punished.
Elisa
Sources:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2010/09/23/cat_found_hanged_in_east_providence_1500_reward/
http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/cruelty_laws.php
