Tips from the public needed after witnesses found cat doused with accelerant and aflame
Sacramento, CA (May 5, 2012) – RedRover, a national nonprofit animal protection organization based on Sacramento, California, is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever doused a cat with accelerant and lit her on fire in a public park on Wednesday in West Sacramento, California.
Witnesses walking near the park at 11:15 in the evening saw what looked like a moving ball of flames, then realized that it was a cat. They contacted Yolo County Animal Services and waited with the injured cat. Officers responded and brought the cat to UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine for treatment. Ultimately, the cat had to be euthanized due to the severity of her injuries.
“We hope our reward will encourage someone who knows more about this brazen and 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 West Sacramento residents have a stake in seeing that whoever committed this sick and disturbing act is punished to the full extent of the law.”
Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to call
Yolo County Sheriff’s Department’s Animal Services Section
at 530.668.5287
Download and share the reward flier (PDF)
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. However, RedRover has only paid the reward twice in 18 years, highlighting the need for law enforcement, prosecutors and citizens to take animal cruelty crimes more seriously.
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 develop empathy and critical thinking skills through stories and discussion. Learn more at www.redrover.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Leili Khalessi 916.429.2457 ext. 314
OTHER COVERAGE
- CBS: $5,000 Reward Offered for Information in Cat Burning Case (includes video)
- KCRA: Burning Cat Mistaken for “Ball of Fire” In Park
- Woodland Daily Democrat: Cat burned to death in West Sacramento, Yolo County Animal Services says
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