Reward offered-kitten set on fire

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If you want to contribute to the reward fund, you can call the number given in the article as the "tip line"-it's the humane society's number. 916-808-PETS (PETS= 7387). The prompt to speak to a person is pressing the "zero" button. They are open 8-5 Tuesday to Saturday. Stephanie

Reward offered in case of cat set aflame in Sacramento

 

- (Published August 10, 2004)

 

The Humane Society offered a $2,500 reward Tuesday for information leading to the arrest of whomever doused a kitten with flammable liquid and set the animal ablaze on a residential street in Sacramento, city officials said.

 

The kitten was still alive when an animal control officer summoned by police found it inside of a box set on the curb in front of a row of apartments on Aug. 3, but all its fur was singed off, its ears were curled in, and its nose and paw pads were peeling off, said Katherine Vos, an animal care supervisor for the city.

 

The kitten, who appeared to be about 10 weeks old, was euthanized because of the extent of its injuries.

 

"When you see something like that, it is pretty devastating," Vos said. "We see animals in all kinds of shape, but seeing a totally burned animal was hard for all of us, including the veterinarian."

 

Although several people were gathered near the box that morning, police did not have enough information to make an arrest for animal cruelty. Officers did find a container of lighter fluid they hope might yield fingerprints from a suspect, Vos said.

 

In issuing the reward, Eric Sakach, Western regional director the Humane Society of the United States, said that social scientists have found that those who abuse animals as youngsters show a greater proclivity to become violent toward people.

 

"Animal abuse is often a sign of other serious problems and should be addressed by the proper authorities," Sakach said in a statement. "This is especially important when the animal cruelty is calculated to or motivated by a desire to harm of cause pain."

 

Anyone with information about the incident can call the Sacramento Animal Care Services Center at 916-808-PETS.

--Associated Press