Tips from the public needed to find whoever mortally injured a young kitten
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BARDSTOWN, KY (September 20, 2012) – RedRover, a national nonprofit animal protection organization based in Sacramento, California, is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever kicked or hit a young kitten in mid-August, causing severe internal injuries and its death.
Bardstown residents Jessica and Namon Brothers were walking their dogs in the evening of Wednesday, August 15, when they found an emaciated stray kitten near the intersection of West Broadway and 4th St. After noticing a bulge on the kitten’s chest, they took him to Heartland Veterinary Hospital in Elizabethtown for examination. An x-ray revealed that the eight-week-old orange tabby kitten, named Bourbon, had severe internal injuries including a crushed sternum, crushed rib, enlarged heart and collapsed lung. The force of the impact had ripped a hole in his diaphragm and caused his internal organs to go up through the hole. The veterinary clinic team rushed him to emergency surgery and worked for more than three hours, but was unable to save the kitten.
“The absence of external wounds and the extent of internal injuries were indicative of blunt force trauma such as being kicked or hit with an object, and made it unlikely that his injuries were the result of being hit by a car or another accident,” explained Dr. Kristen Jones, the veterinarian who treated Bourbon. “It was tragic for everyone to lose Bourbon; just heartbreaking. We were trying to save him and give him a brighter future.”
“This baby was practically destroyed on the inside by the action of a deranged person, yet he was still purring and enjoying attention,” said Jessica. “We found him not far from schools. It scares me to know that this dangerous person is still out there in our community.”
Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to call the
Humane Society of Nelson County at 502.349.2082. Callers can remain anonymous.
(PDF).
“We hope our reward will encourage someone who knows more about this cruel act to come forward with information that could lead to an arrest,” said RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. “Violence toward animals is often a precursor to violence toward people, so Bardstown residents have a stake in seeing that whoever committed this sick and cruel act is punished to the full extent of the law.”
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.
MEDIA CONTACT: Leili Khalessi 916.429.2457 ext. 314
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