Were Mother Cat And Her Kittens Deliberately Set On Fire?

by Elisa Black-Taylor
(USA)

Faith survived the fire

Faith survived the fire

I have a case I've been working on and haven't gotten the full story. In the meantime, I'd like to present what I've learned and I ask you, the reader, to respond to whether this mother cat and her kittens were deliberately set on fire.

The photo above is very distressing. I've shied away from as many abuse stories as possible for the simple fact they upset everyone. Something told me to jump in on this one.

Here's what I've learned so far. This happened last week in Hinesville, Georgia.

A mother cat and her kittens were set on fire by a man who was burning leaves in his yard. This occurred during a time there was a burning ban due to high winds in the area.

I believe only the mother cat, now known as Faith, is still alive. Please correct me if I'm mistaken. One of the babies was still alive when a neighbor (not the fire starter) took it to the vet. It was crying in agony and had to be humanely euthanized.

The man burning the leaves is an alleged cat hater.

This is all I have so far, with the exception the man may have claimed he didn't know the mother cat and her kittens were hiding in the leaves.

I don't believe an arrest has been made. I'm not even sure whether the matter is being investigated in by the Hinesville police or animal control.

There's something seriously wrong with this picture. For one, any mother cat would immediately leave a burning pile of leaves. She wouldn't likely have her kittens in a pile of leaves to start with. Mother cats have been known to return to burning houses and barns over and over to save their litter. This man wants us to believe this cat just lay there and allowed the fire to consume it.

I'd hate to think this man DID know he was setting fire to a family of cats. It's not beyond my comprehension as I've done countless stories about cat abuse.

What irks me about this case is the lack of anything being done about it. Even if this man is charged, we'll likely see another abuser go free (if he IS an abuser) because a jury would ALL have to believe he did this intentionally. Only one juror believing him innocent would mean he gets off without any kind of punishment.

Except for KARMA! Let's not forget that someday, somehow, abusers will have to pay for the abuse inflicted in this life.

Were this mother cat and her kittens deliberately set on fire?

Comments anyone? Can any of you add any information or fill in the gaps. This is one of the most horrible cases of animal cruelty (or accident) I've reported on and I only want to get to the bottom of it.

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Were Mother Cat And Her Kittens Deliberately Set On Fire?

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May 05, 2012
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He did it
by: Anonymous

After reading your article, I have also been following this story and trying to find out more information, with no luck. I do believe this man intentionally set the animals on fire and must have somehow kept them in a position where they could not escape. It sickens me to see our race and how heartless it has become. Not only should he be punished, but more needs to be done to educate the public and break down the barriers that are making people so cold hearted. There is a petition which I have signed for this poor sweetie that most certainly is in a kinder place now. Maybe more can sign. Here is the link.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/564/183/726/justice-for-faith-and-her-family/

Please, justice does need to be served.


May 03, 2012
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@Wanda
by: Elisa

Email me at elisablacktaylor@yahoo.com. you can post any links on this article and also on my Facebook wall.


May 03, 2012
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Justice for all the cats in Faith's
by: I LOVE CATS

There should be a law in this state against burning leaves, let it be trash in a container for the city to pick up and depose
of! Justice for Faith is just the tip of the ice berg in a county that is not fond of their feline population. One man stated
they should all be exterminated, cats are nothing but pest. His friend said yes the multiply so fast get a 22 caliber and shoot
all of them. This a very troubled area for cat lovers and much work must be done for their safety!!!!! Horrible place Faith and
her babies had to live there, but not for long.

Soo sorry sweet Faith.


May 03, 2012
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Justice for Faith
by: Cindy W

Only a psychopath could deliberately do this to any animal. The reviewer is correct, a momma cat will do anything to save her babies and not just lie there. Until the truth does come out I will sit back and wait for the facts. If it is true this person did this deliberately, I'll lead the pack to make sure justice is done for Faith and the maximum limits of the laws for this particular state be given to him. What a horrific tragedy.


May 02, 2012
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Some updates to the story as it is stated above...
by: Petra

The author of this article asked me to add the following:

Also just read what you have so far about Faith. Some corrections. The man who found her, brought her to Paula Radley because she is a known cat lover in that area. She is the one who brought Faith to the vet and called me for help with a chipin to pay for vet bills. The burning was not in Hinesville, but in Sunbury - that's still Liberty County but it's a little drive from Hinesville. There is a police report on this now (I just found out that this may not be true and was misinformation) and it is being investigated. I also know that the small community of Sunbury is shaken by this and I have been told by a friend who lives there that there are personal investigations going on as well. It's not like this has just happened an nobody in this area cares. A lot of people are outraged but the fact remains that there are no eye witnesses and with this said, it's going to be very hard to charge someone, even if this someone is supposedly a huge jerk who does not like cats. I hope that sheds a little more light on it for you.


May 02, 2012
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Please contact me, I have all the info you need.
by: Wanda Bohannon

I started the petition for Faith. I need help..please contact me.


May 02, 2012
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Please contact me, I have all the info you need.
by: Wanda Bohannon

I started the petition for Faith. I need help..please contact me.


May 02, 2012
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Faith
by: Michael

I am pleased that Faith is at peace. She is out of it now.


May 02, 2012
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Cats set on fire.
by: Rudolph.A.Furtado

"A picture tells a thousand words". Horrible tragedy. If a deliberate act by a human then we should realize that animal hate psychopaths exist in society.


May 02, 2012
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What goes around, comes around !
by: Anonymous

It's absolutely terrible & mean what was done to momma cat Faith & kittens. That creep claims he didn't know cat & kittens were under pile of leaves. He should be investigated & tried.
Burns were so horrible only one kitten survived, a picture shows momma cat Faith kissing it goodbye right before she was euthanized due to burns over 80% of her body. Kitten is doing fairly well. Kittens were just a few days old. Poor Faith & kittens had no way to get out. Sheer animal cruelty.
As a saying goes "What goes around, comes around".That man's conscience will be his own worst enemy, stronger than any trial lead by men.
A cat lover/rescuer/helper for over 50 yrs against animal abuse of any kind.
keenpetite
Southeast Arizona (USA)


May 02, 2012
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update on Faith
by: GntlStone

Unfortunately, I heard that Faith was so badly burned that she had to be put to sleep. Only one of her kittens has survived (little Atticus seen in pic on her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Faiths-Friends/362045027176919 and http://www.facebook.com/events/320304944709871/ )

I find this so horrible as to be unfathomable, I just don't understand how someone could ever do that.


May 02, 2012
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Faith and her kitten
by: Patty Slattery

The last story I'd read (2 or 3 days ago) had stated that the mother cat, Faith, had died and that there was one surviving kitten. I don't remember if Faith had died as a result of her injuries, or if she had been humanely euthanized due to the severity of said injuries.
Please continue to pursue this incident and hopefully the man responsible will be punished. This story has been on FB quite a bit this past week.


May 02, 2012
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The guy is guilty
by: Michele

I heard the mother cat died, only one kitten survived. This is so sad, I think the guy did it deliberately .....him being a cat hater speaks for itself. I hope justice is served and he pays for what he did, I heard about this a few days ago and its been playing on my mind thinking what those poor kitties went through. Animal abusers are just cowards. Rip mama and babies, your in a better place and one day the guy will pay for what he did to you.


May 02, 2012
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Correction
by: Anonymous

Actually, I'm almost positive that the kitten survived and the mother (Faith) had to be euthanized. So incredibly sad!


May 02, 2012
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He's a killer!!!!
by: Anonymous

I believe with all my heart this EVIL man ment to set the cats on fire. This is so heartbreaking!


May 02, 2012
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No Doubt - cont....
by: DD

I think that the man contained the cat with the way the logs were placed, otherwise she would have been saving her babies. They must've been screaming, how sickening the thought.
I can see that the story about the bunnies was accidental, not so here with this horrific cat burning crime.
People that do this to animals do not deserve to breathe air.


May 01, 2012
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no accident
by: Cindy

there is no way this was accidental. hound the police. hound animal control. this is a vile excuse for a human that would do this to any animal, let alone and mother and her babies. there is a special place in hell for animal abusers.


May 01, 2012
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mommy and baby
by: Anonymous

I read this story yesterday It showed a picture of the mommy kissing the baby good bye but I believe it was the other way around mommy did not make it so sad I really hope it was an accident because if it was on purpose lord help us


May 01, 2012
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Stronger Laws for Animal Abusers
by: Sherry

This is so sad. I saw photo's of the cat and one of her kittens earlier this week. Heartbreaking. I don't know if this was deliberate or not. What I do know, we do not have strong enough laws in this country to eradicate animal abuse. Many times, know abusers get off with little or no punishment. Even if a person is prosecuted, there isn't enough bite in the law for a worthy punishment. Many of my friends are horrified that an animal abuser can 'get away with it'. What they don't seem to understand, a judges hands are tied if a law doesn't offer a strong punishment.


May 01, 2012
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Stronger Laws for Animal Abusers
by: Sherry

This is so sad. I saw photo's of the cat and one of her kittens earlier this week. Heartbreaking. I don't know if this was deliberate or not. What I do know, we do not have strong enough laws in this country to eradicate animal abuse. Many times, know abusers get off with little or no punishment. Even if a person is prosecuted, there isn't enough bite in the law for a worthy punishment. Many of my friends are horrified that an animal abuser can 'get away with it'. What they don't seem to understand, a judges hands are tied if a law doesn't offer a strong punishment.


May 01, 2012
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comments
by: Elisa

They're coming thru now. They have a habt of showing up on a computer but not a cell phone.


May 01, 2012
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Faith
by: Maggie

Firstly, I cannot say whether or not it was deliberate. Like you, I don't know the full story, but I would be leaning towards saying that the man was aware that the cat was in there, at the very least.

Secondly, Faith is not alive. She was put to sleep.


May 01, 2012
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Can't
by: Michael

Can hardly read this nor look at it. Sorry. When you get older it becomes harder to read about this sort of thing.

**Note:** sorry about the slow show of comments. It is due to the company who hosts the site being slow not me. I allow them be published immediately.


Michael


May 01, 2012
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adopt her?
by: lauren

That is awful..but sadly things like this happen a lot....this story has touched my heart..i would love to adopt her and just love all over her for the rest of her life!!


May 01, 2012
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adopt her?
by: lauren

That is awful..but sadly things like this happen a lot....this story has touched my heart..i would love to adopt her and just love all over her for the rest of her life!!


May 01, 2012
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No Doubt
by: DD

Yes without a doubt, there is no way a mother cat would lay with her babies and be burned alive if she could help it. Somehow, she was contained with her kittens in that fire.
I hope the person who did this suffers sooner than later. Bad things happen to mean people.


May 01, 2012
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Uncaring
by: Ruth (Monty's Mom)

This could have been an accident, but the man who set the fire failed to help once he realized what was going on. My uncle once started a fire in his family's fire pit not realizing there were baby bunnies in there. (He had arranged wood/kindling in there for the next fire at least several days earlier, so all he would have to do is light it.) Some of the bunnies got out ok on their own. He reached in and rescued a few others who were also unharmed, but my uncle got burned pretty seriously in the process. One bunny was burned on his ear and his side. They took him to the vet and cared for the bunny in their home until his burns healed. Could a person set a fire where cats were hiding and have some of those cats get pretty seriously burned? Probably. If my uncle had not reached right into the fire, all those baby bunnies would have ended up looking like the poor cat in that picture. But if this man was a caring person, with any kind of heart at all for animals, he would also have attempted to rescue the animals the instant he realized what was going on. The man who started the fire should have been the one to take the surviving burned animals to the vet, not neighbors. He should be prosecuted criminally for failing to do what he could to aid the animals harmed by his actions, whether intentional or not. If he had burns on him like my uncle had from reaching into the fire to save the animals that would be a different story and no jury would convict him. Since, from what I've read he was unharmed, and left it to neighbors to aid the animals, I think he should be charged with animal cruelty. It's kind of like hitting someone by accident with your car, but stopping to render aid, and hitting someone by accident and leaving the scene without doing anything to try to help. The first scenario may not even lead to charges, depending on the circumstances, but the hit and run is a crime no matter what. At worst he did this on purpose. A best case scenario it's the equivalent of a hit and run. I always put myself in the other person's shoes. What would I do if I were in that situation? I'd do what my uncle did, not what this creep did.


May 01, 2012
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he did it no doubt
by: Anonymous

I believe they were...I'm sure that guy burning leaves has a history of the same nature,burning cats...


May 01, 2012
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What we know about animal abusers
by: Janet Vandenabeele

The first thing I would look into as the prosecutor is if there were any prior incidents involving this man and animals. One thing we know about animal abusers is that they keep doing it. I bet this guy has a history of incidents and "accidents" and anger, even violence.

And it should be a no-brainer to call in an animal behavior expert to say exactly what you have about mother cats and protecting their young. Or avoiding leaf piles. Lots of cats are creeped out by dried leaf noises and crunching; I would imagine 99% of all cats would find an alternate hiding place. The only way that mother went under the leaf pile would be if the guy chased her there.

Of course, this presupposes that local law enforcement gives a crap, which it sounds like they don't. That makes me just as angry as killers like this going free. When will we realize as a culture that cruelty to animals is a bellwether for violence toward all living beings?

On a side note:

One thing that bothers me about the recent push toward animal abuser databases is that Milly the Crazy Cat lady could be put on one, but this guy wouldn't be. Milly TCCL could indeed have a mental illness (hoarding) and be incapable of rational behavior, and be subject to harassment, judgment and abuse, whereas someone granted the presumption of innocence who is really a violent thug gets a pass. To me, these lists would be of use to law enforcement, but shouldn't be made public (esp. on the Internet, for Bast's sake). We haven't reached a point where our prosecution of genuine animal abuse is rational or just; and making people who need social/mental help criminals is just as unjust.


May 01, 2012
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Mother cata and kittens set on fire.
by: Anonymous

YES i think it was deleberate.why doesnt the police get involved? why dont the person of interest take a lie test and someone ask him if he delibertally set the cats on fire? this is horrible.why wont the police do something? thank u.


6 thoughts on “Were Mother Cat And Her Kittens Deliberately Set On Fire?”

  1. The author of the best comment will receive an Amazon gift of their choice at Christmas! Please comment as they can add to the article and pass on your valuable experience.
  2. PLEASE contact In Defense of Animals immediately. They will be able to help you lead the way in getting this man charged. They have a wonderful track record and area a group of pioneering attorneys in the field of abuse.

    Reply
  3. That creature is a despicable piece of filth! I don’t care for dogs at all, and we have neighbors who walk their mutts as far as our house (on a corner) let them make their “deposit”, then go back home; they let their mutts run loose and wreck trash cans, scare kids and other things, but I have never even THOUGHT of doing anything to them as sick as this bastard did to those poor kitties. What he did goes BEYOND evil and someone should make him pay for what he did. Knowing the law, it will just fine him $100.00 of 10 days in jail. I think the neighbors should lure him out of his house, douse him with a mix of naval jelly and gasoline, and set HIM fire!

    Reply
  4. He did it. I know all about cat’s behavior in the wild and when they see a fire, they run for their lives, of course taking their kittens with them. That man did it on purpose.

    Reply

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