Rewards of $5,000 each were announced Tuesday by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Humane Society of the United States, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The Defense of Animals Fund added $2,500. Alley Cat Allies had previously posted a $750 reward.
On the morning of April 24, the remains of 25 cats were found in various stages of decomposition in plastic bags tied to a tree at 14 Overlook Terrace in Yonkers, NY. The bags were discovered by Yonkers Department of Public Works employees performing a routine clean-up of the area.
The dead cats were found in various stages of decay in a wooded area off Overlook Terrace, which indicates that they were assaulted over the course of the past year or more—some bodies were fully decomposed while some cats were probably killed within the past week.
The perpetrator(s) could face felony charges of up to two years imprisonment, as well as a $5,000 fine. Intentionally killing a cat is against the law in all 50 states.
Ernest Lungaro, director of enforcement at the SPCA of Westchester indicated that a baseball bat, two shovels and a metal pipe were found near the scene, though investigators were not sure those items had been used in the killings.
Shannon Laukhuf, executive director of the SPCA of Westchester, said: “All of us at the SPCA of Westchester are deeply appalled by this depraved act of animal cruelty. I want to assure the public that we will use every resource available to us to bring those responsible to swift justice.”
The SPCA of Westchester and the Yonkers Police Department are investigating. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the SPCA of Westchester’s confidential hotline at 914-941-7797.
Sources: newyorkcbslocal.com, humanesociety.org, aldf.org, peta.org, aspca.org, alleycat.org, spca914.org
Image via aldf.org
OMG - I had not heard about this case. I certainly hope they catch the perp and throw the book at them. There are a few other things I'd like to suggest be done to him, but it would not make for pleasant reading. That is horrible.
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