This is the strangest cat abandonment that I have encountered on the internet. A man shattered the glass front door of Liberty Humane Society in Jersey City, USA with a rock and then threw a box containing a cat through the broken door of the shelter.
The cat inside the box was very ill and was diagnosed as suffering from a serious illness for some time. The cat was severely underweight and had liver failure and was euthanised.
The staff at the shelter locked the door as the man approached. They believed that he was suffering from mental health problems. It seems he smashed the door’s glass because they would not let him in but that’s a big guess.
The police are investigating and want to find the guy because (1) he appeared to need help himself and (2) there may be more cats in his care and in a vulnerable position.
The shelter is considering upgrading their surveillance system and installing a metal roll-down gate for the front door.
“We don’t want to be a prison… but I think we have to just because of the eventuality of situations like this” – Executive Director of the shelter.
Comment: a bizarre cat abandonment and a very sad one. The question is why wait so long to seek help for your cat? The guy must have know his cat was very ill because he/she was so underweight and not eating. This points to the owner being ill himself but that’s speculating. If he is not mentally ill he has committed 2 crimes on the face of it, (1) criminal damage in breaking the door and (2) animal cruelty through neglect.
Source: nj.com
Per the AVMA euthanasia is an acceptable treatment.
This case needs to be investigated. Sadly Micheal I have known way too many actual kind loving pet guardians that could not fulfill their final obligation to their pet.
This could be a lack of funds case although he could have surrendered the cat outside and left without bashing in the glass.
A police followup is called for at his home in case of spousal, child or other cases of animal abuse within his home.
Mental illness is not always a get out of jail free card it is the ability to distinguish right from wrong that plays a large part. It’s obvious the man knew his cat was ill and he wanted to dispose of it.
Why did the workers think he was mentally ill in the first place and close the door ?
It’s common to toss cats. From cars, windows and into shelters. There are a plethora of cases showing violent surrenders.
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/38384893/man-violently-tosses-kittens-into-naples-humane-society
He should be charged for animal cruelty for tossing the cat in the box and property damage.
…”could not fulfill their final obligation to their pet…”
ME, do you mean euthanise their cat when appropriate?
Yes I do. To dump a house pet who is need of help and leaving them at the mercy of any system is deplorable. A merciful passing when necessary should be supervised by the guardians. Trust no one.