Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
TagsReward doubled to $2,000 for information that leads to conviction
BY PAT SUMMERS
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Except for her head, the cat was entirely wrapped in gray duct tape. When the woman saw the cat in her back yard on Tuesday afternoon, she phoned the Pennsylvania SPCA's 24-hour cruelty hotline, which brought their humane law enforcement officers to pick up the feline — now safe and nicknamed "Sticky."
Removed from the 2200 block of Edgley St., in North Philadelphia, Sticky was soon in the care of PSPCA doctors and nurses. They sedated her before gently cutting off the tape with bandage scissors. That very careful activity took about an hour.
Once out of her tape bonds, Sticky was checked over and so showered with TLC that by midday Thursday she was reported to be "doing very well." A domestic short-haired female gray tabby, she's thought to be between 1-2 years old and weighs nearly eight pounds. She hasn't been spayed, though that would happen if she's ultimately adopted out.
But for now, the investigation into Sticky's cruel treatment is on-going. Liz Williamson, of PSPCA, says the hunt's still on, not only for one or more perpetrator(s), but also for Sticky's owner. (The cat wore no ID and wasn't micro chipped.)On the supposition that Sticky's abuser taped her up, then walked to the backyard where she was left, the humane law enforcement officers began by canvassing the neighborhood. A few phone callers have claimed to be Sticky's owners; Williamson says such claims will have to be supported with documentation.
Initially, the PSPCA offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for animal cruelty toward Sticky, but through contributions from well-wishers, that total quickly rose to $2,000.
PSPCA's Williamson says the Commonwealth will pursue misdemeanor charges, punishable with up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500. The perpetrator may also be prohibited from having pets for up to one year.
The 24-hour number for PSPCA's cruelty hotline is 866-601-7722.