IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS PAYS OUT $2,500 REWARD FOR CONVICTION OF SNAPCHAT CAT KILLER

Contact: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483

Images: http://bit.ly/CatScaldingMP

Moss Point, MS (February 16, 2017) – On January 13, In Defense of Animals, the international animal protection organization that operates the Winona, Mississippi-based Justice for Animals Campaign, offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of one Laderrick Oneal Rothchild.  Rothchild, a parolee, fled imminent arrest for “aggravated cruelty to a cat” when his girlfriend posted a video depicting him scalding a live, trapped cat on Snapchat. Not one but two people came forward with information on Rothchild as soon as In Defense of Animals raised the alarm on local media, and he was arrested a month from the day of his heinous act.

In Defense of Animals has now announced that on Thursday February 16 at 11 a.m. it will officially present $2,500 to the Moss Point Police Commander to be awarded to two informants who almost simultaneously contacted the Moss Point Police Department to report Rothchild’s location. The reward, in checks made to each informant, will be delivered by the Moss Point Police Department following In Defense of Animals’ presentation.

In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Director, Doll Stanley, will present the reward checks to Commander Stacey Deans of the Moss Point Police Department. Stanley said, “I’m thrilled that In Defense of Animals was able to play a vital role in Rothchild’s taste of justice. Though our state statutes are lax on animal abusers, Judge Keith Miller was applauded following court. His message was direct that cruelty to animals is despicable and should justly be punished.”

On or about Tuesday December 13, 2016, Laderrick Oneal Rostchild and his uncle Larry Rostchild Jr. were identified from a Snapchat video Laderrick’s girlfriend Karmen Coleman recorded and shared of the two men scalding a live cat confined in a “humane” trap. The duo doused the unnamed black and white male cat with two pots of boiling water and kicked the trap, laughing as they mocked the cat’s suffering. Coleman released the cat who was seen alive, but was later recovered lying dead in the fetal position. It was later confirmed that the cat died of thermal burns. The incident took place in the carport of 6237 Henry Street, Moss Point, Mississippi.

Despite the gruesome nature of the crime, aggravated cruelty to a cat is only a first offense misdemeanor in the State of Mississippi, carrying a maximum fine of just $2,500 and, or six months in jail. The charge leveled against Karmen Coleman, of rendering criminal assistance during the act, carries a maximum fine of just $1,000 and, or up to a year in jail.

On February 7, Laderrick Oneal Rothchild was convicted of aggravated cruelty, handed a fine of $2,500, sentenced to 6 months in jail, ordered to pay restitution, and must report to the Jackson County Animal Shelter within 72 hours of release from jail for 200 hours of supervised assistance.

Ladderick’s uncle, Larry Rothchild, pled guilty and was sentenced to a month in jail, ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, and will also spend 200 supervised hours assisting at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. Ladderick’s partner Karmen Coleman is to have a hearing on February 21.

“Mississippians with a zero tolerance for animal cruelty are forming coalitions across the state to see that ordinances and statutes for the protection of animals will be fortified and those criminals who perpetrate these vilely egregious crimes experience the true meaning of justice,” stated campaigner Stanley.

In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign has aligned with coalitions, organizations, officials, and citizens across the state to work towards the passage of a first offense felony for aggravated cruelty to a dog or a cat and to see municipal and county ordinances amended or passed to reflect the stiffest penalties of state law.

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In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals campaign is actively working with officials in communities, building a groundswell of support for establishing and amending city and county ordinances as part of its campaign to show state lawmakers that Mississippians will not tolerate animal cruelty.

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 30-year history of fighting for animals, people and the environment through education, campaigns and hands on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.

IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS • 3010 KERNER BLVD. • SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 • 415-448-0048