By Elisa Black-Taylor
This is the story of Elizabeth, a cat from South Carolina who was thrown into an open fire by a 13 year old boy. Her owner’s were unable to keep her after this horrific crime was committed, and turned her over to the Darlington County Humane Society Rescue (DCHSR). Forgive the length of this article, but it’s complicated. It also shows just how accurate my article Kids Killing Cats, written several years ago, is on the serious issue of animal abusers. In my opinion, this 13 year old is well on his way to more serious crimes.
To catch up on Elizabeth, I ask you to read what started out as a “donation” article, and has escalated to a crusade for justice for this one little cat named Elizabeth..
I do a lot of articles for shelters and rescues needing help with major medical bills resulting from the cruelty inflicted by man. The entire Elizabeth series can be found on this article at the bottom under “recommended reading.”
Elizabeth is a case that demands justice. This sweet black kitty was thrown into a fire back in November, after which her family took her to DCHSR almost a week later when they finally found her. Instead of euthanizing Elizabeth, the decision was made to give her the chance to live, despite being burned on over 70% of her body. The folks at the shelter saw the fighting spirit within Elizabeth, and a fund was created to help with her medical bills.
Elizabeth was soon transferred to a facility where she could receive 24/7 care for her burns. This included debriding, changing bandages and keeping the wound clean. Caring for Creatures, a Virginia based rescue made plans to transfer her to their sanctuary once Elizabeth was able to travel.
Sadly, the wonderful plans for Elizabeth ended December 3, when she succumbed to her injuries around 12:30 a.m. Elizabeth didn’t die alone. She was surrounded by her vet, and the staff who had fallen in love with this sweet brave kitty. The phone call to the Darlington shelter telling of her death came as a shock. Although Elizabeth had “crashed” twice the day before, she had rallied, being the fighter she was. To hear she had died left a hole in the hearts of all who heard her story.
Now, instead of Elizabeth having a wonderful future at a cat sanctuary, another cat will be chosen by Caring for Creatures. Both the Darlington shelter and the sanctuary are planning to start fundraisers in her memory to help other cats like Elizabeth. Her death wasn’t in vain.
Unfortunately, her tormentor will likely escape any punishment for what he did. He’s been charged, but there’s no way to make the punishment fit the crime. It’s just too horrific for any penalty a cat lover feels he deserves to be doled out. Fate, however, has a way of catching up with people like this teen. His name and address likely won’t be published online, due to his age. I only hope that someday he has to answer to someone for what he did.
There’s a lot of hate on the internet right now for not only this evil child (I’m sorry, I have no sympathy left for him), but for others who seem to have gone insane in South Carolina.
At this time, I’m keeping up with a dog whose nails were ripped from its paws, then dragged behind a truck. Fortunately, the rope broke and the dog was taken for treatment. The prognosis is good. I’ve also done a few “family” articles where family members have inflicted pain on each other because of food. One story was a case of a missing cheese packet in a box of mac and cheese.
Has the world gone crazy? I hate to think of any sane person committing crimes against family, or crimes again animals. What I really wonder is at what age these abusers got their start, and what, if anything, the court system did to stop them. Are some children just born monsters? I’ve done some research and found many children show signs of future animal cruelty by the age of three. I’m not talking about children with mental illness. I’m talking about the possibility that some children are just born that way. They enjoy hurting things.
There’s a vigilante attitude online these days. Maybe that’s bad, but perhaps it’s a step in the right direction. Because the only way I can see right now with ending the abuse is for neighbors to take back their neighborhoods when they see animal abuse happening around them. The term “lynch mob” comes to mind.
South Carolina is known for its lax animal cruelty laws. A puppy mill owner can open another puppy mill the day he’s released from jail. A young person or “minor” as we call them, often get no punishment at all. Your comments are welcome on any of this. I just wanted to let everyone know the special place Elizabeth had in the hearts of those who heard her story. Rest in peace, sweet girl. You didn’t deserve any of this.
Thats totally true the cycle really needs to be stoped the same with abuse. That poor kitty at least she will be safe from harm in rainbow heaven im sure my girls be comforting her. its 3 weeks today coping alot better now.
Some people just don’t know right from wrong, good from bad, decency from immorality. They pass their ignorance down to their children over and over again.
this is so horrible. Cant believe the parents waited a whole week before doing anything. This is just so wrong.If a 13 year old can do that, they can do more harm later on to a young child or a women etc. As its not much of leap.
Well said Kip. Politicians should give more debate time to animal welfare. Animals tend be down the bottom of the list.
It may sound crazy but keeping your mouth shut just makes the “pot” boil more. I’ve learned this for myself and no longer “keep” my mouth shut. I have opinions just like everyone else and have found that my opinions are shared by many others; and a few that think I should be jailed to keep me quite, The White House. Gov” for one large opinion.I think letters should go to these governments that don’t protect these furry friends telling them to get off their lazy-rears,” thought I was gonna say wrong words didn’t you”. We even have many in our own government that need to be hit in the head and woke up on the problems with animals.
You know, I don’t have a lot of confidence generally but when it comes to people the police move faster and with more commitment than they do with cats. Cats have low value to the police.