The cruel person who threw a tiny kitten from a car in Tampa, Florida on May 27 has a price on their head. The kitten survived and the $1,000 reward that was offered ($500 by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and $500 by Florida Voices For Animals) has now increased to $6,000 after PETA contributed an additional $5,000.
It’s sad to think the person responsible for throwing the kitten from the vehicle couldn’t be bothered to drive the 10 blocks to drop it off at the shelter. Now dubbed “Columbo” (named after Columbus Avenue where he was rescued), the five-week-old kitten has recovered from the scrapes, scratches and a bloody nose he incurred.
Thankfully, two mechanics from Yenel Auto Paint & Body Work responded to the scene to help with the rescue after hearing a woman who witnessed Columbo being tossed from the car cried out for help. The workers braved busy traffic who drove much faster than to 40 mph posted speed limit.
Ornella Varchi, Chief Development Officer at the HSTB told news media
“It makes us feel very angry and very sad that somebody would harm an animal or, put it in harm’s way. When it can be just as easy as driving up to our shelter and handing the animal over to us.”
Not only were people in the right place at the right time to rescue Columbo, but a volunteer at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay was also at the scene and brought the kitten to the shelter.
Abandoning an animal is a misdemeanor punishable by jail time and a maximum $5,000 fine. Since most violent criminals begin with abusing animals, the need to get this person off the street and held accountable is a high priority.
This one may be a ‘toughy.’ So far no one has come forward with information and those who were there to rescue the kitten didn’t even get a description of the color of the vehicle.
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