“Friendliest cat on the block” shot and killed by pellet gun in own yard
Woodland, CA (March 27, 2013) – RedRover, a national nonprofit animal protection organization based in Sacramento, California, is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and arraignment of whoever shot a three-year-old orange tabby cat named Annie, leading to tremendous suffering and her death.
On Wednesday, March 13. Annie’s owner, Amanda Hartman of Owens Valley Drive in Woodland, California, came home from work to find Annie motionless in her driveway. Initially thinking that Annie had been hit by a car, Hartman rushed her to UC Davis Small Animal Clinic. There, an examination and x-rays determined that Annie had a pellet gun bullet lodged near her spine and was partially paralyzed. Annie was sent home with medication and pain reliever to attempt rehabilitation, but she eventually succumbed to her injury and passed away on Friday, March 22. Hartman incurred $550 in veterinary bills as a result of the incident.
“My cat suffered terribly as a result of this senseless cruelty, and now my family misses her,” said Hartman. “We have had Annie since she was a baby, and she was known as the friendliest cat on the block. Please, if you know someone who has a pellet gun, talk to them and ask if they know anything.”
“Any help from the public to solve this animal cruelty crime would be greatly appreciated,” said Sgt. Michael Nevis with Yolo County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to call
Yolo County Sheriff’s Office at 530.668.5287, option 0.
Download and share RedRover’s reward flier.
“We hope our reward will encourage someone who knows more about this blatant animal cruelty to come forward with information that could solve this crime and make the community safer,” said RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. “Violence toward animals is often a precursor to violence toward people, so Woodland residents have a stake in seeing that whoever committed this illegal act is punished to the full extent of the law.”
A study conducted by the Massachusetts SPCA and Northeastern University showed that people who abuse animals are five times more likely commit violence against people, four times more likely to commit property crimes, and three times more likely to be involved in drunken or disorderly offenses.
RedRover pledges rewards around the country to encourage witnesses to step forward with information about animal cruelty crimes and to highlight the need for harsher punishments in such cases.
Founded in 1987, RedRover focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the bond between people and animals through a variety of programs, including emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. The RedRover Readers program aims to prevent animal cruelty before it happens through its unique community-based literacy approach, which helps children increase their level of empathy for people and pets through stories and discussion. The next online training for teachers and other educators begins May 25. Learn more about RedRover and its programs at www.redrover.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Karen Brown 916.429.2457 or info@redrover.org
Updates & media links
- Fox 40, March 25: Cat shot, killed by pellet gun
- Daily Democrat, March 28: Reward offered for info leading to arrest of Woodland cat killer
- Sacramento Bee, March 28: Reward offered in bid to find person who shot Woodland cat
- KCRA, March 29: Nonprofit offers reward after cat dies from bullet wound