Stray cat was shot through the shoulders with an arrow and later died

Santa Rosa County, Fla. (November 21, 2012) – In Defense of Animals (IDA), the international animal protection organization that operates Hope Animal Sanctuary in Mississippi, has offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever brutally shot a cat with a hunting arrow in Santa Rosa County, Florida.

The stray cat was found on Wednesday, November 14 with an arrow through both shoulders in the 8400 block of Dinosaur Drive in Navarre, Florida. The cat underwent surgery to remove the arrow, but died the next morning from the injuries.

“The cold-bloodedness of this horrific crime indicates what a danger this person is to all of us,” said Eric Phelps, Emergency Response Unit Coordinator for IDA. “Someone knows who did this, and he or she will be serving the entire community by stepping forward.” Phelps added that studies have repeatedly shown, and the FBI and other law enforcement agencies agree, that a person who commits cruelty to animals very often moves on to commit acts of violence against people, especially when the cruelty to animals goes unpunished.

IDA urges anyone with information about this brutal attack to contact Santa Rosa County CrimeStoppers at (850) 433-7867. To contribute to the reward fund, please call IDA at (415) 448-0048, ext.0.

Contact: Eric Phelps, eric@idausa.org, 503-754-0977