Cat shot with arrow, dies - Houston, PA

Saturday, Oct 25, 2008

County: Washington

Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

The black cat struggled as she walked, laboring to fend for herself as she nursed an unthinkable wound.

Someone had shot a foot-long practice arrow through the cat's abdomen, puncturing several organs, but she did not hiss or shy away when approached Saturday in Chartiers by an animal cruelty investigator with the Washington Area Humane Society.

She simply purred.

"She just wanted to be loved, basically," said Jennifer Bamberger, a veterinarian technician for the Washington County group.

The cat, which the humane society named China, might have been shot several days or a week earlier. When workers surgically removed the arrow, they found food inside the cat's stomach.

Despite the emergency surgery, however, extensive infections remained around the liver, spleen and stomach. China died in Bamberger's home early Sunday morning.

The act upset humane society workers but did not alarm them.

"I can't really say I was shocked," Bamberger said. "There are a lot of sick people out there."

"We see so much blatant disrespect for animals here," added humane society manager Lorie Schooley. "Every time you think you've seen it all, you see something else."

China, who was about 3 or 4 years old, was not wearing a collar when she was found over the weekend wandering near Allison Park Elementary School. Because she was spayed, the humane society believes she likely was someone's pet.

The cat had its front and rear claws. Other than wounds suffered from the arrow, China appeared healthy.

Society workers also believe China was shot intentionally. Anyone with information is asked to call the humane society's shelter at 724-222-7387 and leave a message for the officer.

References

• « PA State Animal Cruelty Map
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