Humane Society Adds to Reward Fund For Information in West Palm Beach Cat Mutilation Case

The Humane Society of the United States
Tuesday, 26 February 2002

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for slicing the front paws off of a gray-and-white cat found in West Palm Beach earlier this month. The reward fund now stands at more than $20,000 in pledges and cash donations.

For weeks, a woman had been feeding the cat outside the law firm where she works. One day, she got a closer look at the feline and noticed the injuries to both front legs. The woman humanely trapped the cat with the help of co-workers, and brought the cat to Paws-2-Help, a West Palm Beach animal shelter.

Eve Van Engel, Paws-2-Help President, said doctors who examined the cat determined the injuries were definitely caused by a person, probably with some type of cleaver. The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office is investigating the case.

"It is clear that this act of animal cruelty was intentional," said Virginia M. Prevas, HSUS First Strike Campaign® Manager. "Anyone who engages in such behavior could pose a serious threat to other animals and people in the community. It is unconscionable that anyone would harm an innocent animal in this horrific way. I hope that this reward will help bring those responsible to justice before another animal, or person, is harmed."

The cat, nicknamed both "Babydoll" and "Lucky Paws," has undergone successful surgery by a Palm City veterinarian, who was able to provide some padding to her stumped limbs to make it easier for her walk. "Lucky's" prognosis is very good, and upon recovery will be adopted by the woman who found her, according to news reports.

"The community has shown its outrage over this incident with a generous outpouring of pledges and donations to this reward fund," said Laura Bevan, director of The HSUS Southeast Regional Office in Tallahassee. "The HSUS joins this effort and asks that anyone with information about this horrendous crime to contact the authorities."

The penalties for animal cruelty in the state of Florida are up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000 for a first-degree misdemeanor, or up to five years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000 for a third-degree felony.

Lucky was probably somebody's pet before she became a stray, Van Engel said. If anyone has any information about Lucky's previous owners, previous residence, or other information that may help solve this case, contact the Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at 800-458-8477. Information will be kept confidential.

The HSUS offers rewards in animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty to make the world safer for people and animals alike. The HSUS First Strike Campaign® raises public awareness and educates communities about the connection between animal cruelty and violence towards people while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS Southeast Regional Office serves the states of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida.

For more information, or to contact The Humane Society of the United States, see their website at: www.hsus.org