Monroe woman charged with animal cruelty and abandonment after dumping medical needs cat

Update: Court date for Raymond is the AM session on August 24, 2017 in Union County, NC.

This is an update on the case of the Monroe, North Carolina cat abandoned by his owner June 22 and written about in this PoC article. The search continues for Samson and an arrest has been made in the case.

Second update at 2nd July 2018: This is a comment from Celeste McLaren:

I did not see any update on Samson. I have been following Laura since he was lost, his story so captivated me. We were all praying for him. He was found! It’s a year ago! He is in a loving home and is a gorgeous boy! That poor boy must have been suffering so much. he had stones! And he has his own Facebook page.

Samson was dumped in the middle of the street near Forest Hills Baptist Church in Monroe North Carolina. He may also be injured. The cat tried to get back into the vehicle as she drove away!

Michelle Antionette Raymond, 48, of Monroe was arrested and charged with one count of abandonment of an animal and one count of cruelty to animals and remains in the Union County jail.

Animal rescuer Laura Morrison is part of the team searching daily for Samson. She posted an update on Facebook Tuesday stating:

“The woman who threw Samson out of her vehicle away into the street last Thursday and left him sick with urinary disease to die has been arrested this afternoon and taken into custody into the city of Monroe jail.

She has been charged with felony animal cruelty under NC statutes. And animal abandonment. Another misdemeanor charge.

We were told she was very angry and without any remorse. And said law enforcement would ” get theirs” for arresting her.

She was allowed to call her husband and from my understanding, if she cannot make bond, she will remain in jail until her court date.

The police said that rescues were welcome to come to the courthouse the day she faces those charges.

I encourage everyone who is passionately involved in the rights of animals everywhere, to show up in support for Sampson who we may or may not find.

I don’t know why, but I felt a horrible pain when they called me to tell me she had been arrested, I don’t know if this pain is emotional or if it is something I am foreseeing, but my heart is so broken because I do not know if Sampson is truly alive anymore.

We are free now to search the area without any threat, I can let my tears flow freely now because I want to look up into the stars tonight and look at the sun rising and know that somewhere on this planet justice was given today for an animal that was thrown away.

We need everyone on board that is willing to show up at the courthouse in support and anyone willing to advocate against animal cruelty.

My heart can break now openly but at least I know God heard our prayers!!

And Captian Beth Greene did what no other law enforcement officer would help us do. She brought us justice and she showed me that this is a step in the right direction.

Thank you, Beth, I’m going to give you a big hug when I see you!!!

We don’t know if the court will allow these charges to stand, what type of punishment will be handed out, but at least this is a step in the right direction but speaks volumes to our community that animal cruelty and abandonment will not be tolerated.”

Please keep Laura and the team, as well as Samson in your thoughts that they’ll be successful and he’ll be found alive. Anyone wishing to help should contact Laura via Facebook.

Elisa

Verification of arrest can be found on the Union County Sheriff’s Office Daily Bulletin.