Our Reward Leads to Arrest of Fugitive in Cat Scalding Case

Earlier this month, In Defense of Animals, on behalf of our Justice for Animals Campaign, issued a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Laderrick Oneal Rostchild, a felon eluding the Moss Point, Mississippi Police Department upon learning he was to be arrested for "aggravated cruelty" to a cat. We"re happy to announce that the reward offer paid off in a huge way!

News of the reward spread, and information leading to the location of suspect Laderrick Oneal Rostchild was procured. Moss Point Police then apprehended the third of three suspects charged in the horrific scalding death of a male cat our Justice for Animals Director gave the name Tux.

Exactly a month since the sadistic torture of a trapped cat surfaced on Snapchat, suspect Laderrick Rostchild was given up for In Defense of Animals’ reward offer. Commander Stacey Deans, of the Moss Point Police Department notified us that his department had been tipped off as to Laderrick Rostchild’s hideout and the fugitive was in custody.

On or about Tuesday December 13, 2016, Laderrick Oneal Rostchild and his uncle Larry Rostchild Jr. were identified from a Snapchat video scalding with boiling water a helpless cat in a "humane" trap. Laderrick’s girlfriend, Karmen Coleman, was arrested for her role in recording and posting the gruesome crime.

The duo doused the then unnamed black and white male cat with two pots of boiling water and kicked the trap, laughing as they mocked the cat’s torment. Coleman released the cat who was seen alive, but was later recovered lying dead in the fetal position. A necropsy determined the cause of death was thermal burns. The incident that took place in the carport of 6237 Henry Street, Moss Point, Mississippi sent shockwaves throughout the Mississippi.

Larry Rostchild Jr. was arrested for "aggravated cruelty to a cat," a first offense misdemeanor in the State of Mississippi, a crime that carries up to a $2,500 fine and, or six months in jail. Karmen Coleman was arrested for rendering criminal assistance during the crime, a charge that carries a maximum fine of $1,000 and, or a year in jail. Laderrick Rostchild was charged with animal cruelty also, but was denied bond as he was on parole at the time of his incarceration.

The trio will be arraigned on February 14, 2017 in the Moss Point, Municipal Court - an ironic timing for such a heartless crime.

Laderrick Oneal Rostchild’s criminal history of fraud, theft, domestic violence, resisting arrest, and contempt of court is an indicator of his disdain for social values.

Currently the heinous crime of scalding this defenseless cat is a mere misdemeanor, but that could soon change. In Defense of Animals and a coalition of Mississippi groups are working to see that egregious acts of violence to animals become a first offense felony in Mississippi. Neighboring states, Louisiana and Arkansas have passed first offense felony prosecution laws for aggravated animal cruelty.

Mississippi Senator Angela Hill reintroduced her amendment to MSSS 97-41-16, the 2011 "Dog & Cat" law that, if passed, would make a first offense crime of aggravated cruelty to a dog or a cat a felony. Farm Bureau claims that the passage of stronger protective laws for domestic animals would be a "slippery slope" to infringement on farming and ranching practices. The fact is that farmed animals are already protected under MSSS 97-41-15. It is a felony to maliciously or wantonly harm "livestock."

Senator Hill’s bill has until January 31st to make it out of the Agriculture Committee. Though it’s feared that her bill will die in committee, Mississippi animal advocates have declared their determination to begin the 2018 fight for passage of the bill February 1st should the bill be smothered in committee. Citizens of Mississippi should have equal protection under the law for the species they chose to work or live with.

In Defense of Animals, Animal Advocacy Initiative of Mississippi and animal advocates across Mississippi and from Louisiana will hold a candlelight vigil February 13th, the eve of the trio’s arraignment, to let the public know that penalties for cruelty must be increased and to alert legislators that we will settle for nothing less than a 1st offense felony charge for aggravated cruelty to a dog or a cat.