Philadelphia, PA (Friday, December 6) - The Pennsylvania SPCA is asking for the public’s help uncovering information about who may have shot a cat with an arrow, leaving it to die, in the city’s West Philadelphia neighborhood Friday.
Early Friday morning a Good Samaritan reported the injured cat, who had been shot with an arrow, next to a corner store on the 5900 block of Chestnut Street. The arrow remained lodged in its body. With the assistance of Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Team, the cat was transported to the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Erie Avenue headquarters for emergency medical treatment, but did not survive the transport.
The Pennsylvania SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement Officers subsequently went to the scene of the incident and were able to determine who owned the cat. It was reported that the male cat had gotten out the evening prior and did not return. The cat resided just a block from where it was found injured, on the 5800 block of Chestnut Street.
After reviewing surveillance footage from the corner store, an individual can be seen picking the cat up with a shovel and depositing it in a trash can. The cat was still alive at the time and was later discovered some distance from the trash can.
The Pennsylvania SPCA is seeking the public’s help in identifying this individual in the hopes of uncovering what happened and bringing those responsible to justice.
Information about the identity of the individual, or others involved, can be reported anonymously to the Pennsylvania SPCA’s cruelty hotline, 866-601-7722 or cruelty@pspca.org.
“This act of cruelty is especially heinous,” say Julie Klim, CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA. “An innocent animal was shot in our city with an arrow, thrown away still alive and suffering as if it were nothing. We are here to say that it was not nothing, and we cannot stand for such horrific acts against an animal. We implore those who have information about this case to come forward.”
About the Pennsylvania SPCA
Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered at 350 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, has been dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and rescuing animals from abuse and neglect. The Pennsylvania SPCA's lifesaving programs for animals include a low-cost veterinary clinic, low-cost spay and neuter services, pet adoption facilities, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Department. For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call (215) 426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.