Cat recovering after arrow removed from its head

KBTV.com ^ | January 23, 2009 | Scott Evans

[Daffynition]

BOISE -- A 12-year-old Caldwell boy has come forward to claim responsibility for the arrow found lodged in the head of a cat.

Prosecutors will decide whether the boy should be charged with animal cruelty.

The boy and his father told the Gem County Sheriff's Office he was protecting quail, but the question many are asking tonight is - does intention matter?

Gem County officials tell us that it is illegal to shoot at pets with a bow and arrow any time. But some are making the argument that this was a stray cat.

Jeff Rosenthal with the Idaho Humane Society says that does not matter.

"There's a feeling at least that this is something malicious and cruel," said Rosenthal.

A nine-month-old cat, now named Valentine, is recovering after a major surgery to remove an arrow from her head.

This interview came an hour before Wednesday's surgery.

"I think the arrow went through the eye and came out the back of the head," said Jeff Brourman who performed the surgery on Valentine.

A scan of the cat's head shows the arrow missed the brain by millimeters, but destroyed the left ear and eye.

(Related: Sheriff says 12-year-old boy shot cat in head with arrow)

"In a case like this we have to be concerned that this is something that is done purposefully," said Brourman.

Hours after this story was brought to the public's attention, the Gem County Sheriff's Office said that a 12 year-old neighbor of the person who brought the cat in claimed responsibility.

We went to their home Thursday, but they declined to comment.

Since Valentine is a stray, the closest thing to an owner would be the person who took the cat to West Vet.

That person said they would not press charges on the boy because they believe he is sorry for what he did and that this was an accident.

Jeff Rosenthal with the Idaho Humane Society disagrees.

"I don’t think it was accidental, I think the shot itself where it hit was, that part of it, I'm sure no one was that accurate, but I believe the child was intending to harm the cat sure," said Rosenthal.

We spoke with a lieutenant from Gem County Sheriff's Office just moments after he questioned the family and he said he has everything he needs to file his report. He'll turn it over to the prosecutor to decide whether to file charges. That decision likely won't be made until next week.

"Because it was a child there’s more of a, oh it’s a child out being mischievous, made a mistake. I still think it’s important to make an impact on that child. Make sure we don’t have anything else going on with the child as well," said Rosenthal.

Valentine will spend the night recovering from surgery, and then the plan is for Simply Cats, an all cat shelter, to come and pick her up and get her well enough to be adopted.

Simply Cats executive director Sheri Schneider tells us that around 75 people have shown interest in adopting the cat when she's ready.

Schneider says they will most likely hold a lottery to determine Valentine's new owner.

Rosenthal says the Humane Society maintains a toll-free animal cruelty and neglect hotline for people to report cases of animal cruelty, neglect or animal fighting.

Anyone with information on these forms of abuse is urged to call 1-866-430-9432.

[Fawn]

Update I found:

http://www.kpax.com/Global/story.asp?S=9754833

Emmett boy faces animal cruelty charges
Associated Press
Jan. 29, 2009
1:24 PM ET
Emmett, Idaho (AP) - A 12-year-old southwestern Idaho boy who admitted to shooting at a cat with an arrow has been charged with cruelty to animals.

The Gem County prosecutor says the case will be handled in juvenile court.

The wounded cat was rescued last week and taken to a Garden City veterinarian who removed the arrow, which had lodged in the left eye and was sticking out the back of its head.

The cat is recovering, but lost the eye and hearing in one ear. The boy told police he was trying to scare the cat away from some quail and did not intend to hit it. If the boy was an adult, he'd face a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty, which carries penalties of up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Gem County prosecutor Richard Linville says animal cruelty cases aren't uncommon in Idaho, particularly rural counties like Gem County.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

Can’t lie good enough to be a democrat yet. But he’s working on it.

[Copernicus]

Many thanks.

The classic mistake. They are "plea bargaining" it out to "make it go away".

Bad lawyers make bad law, every single time.

The kid will be in my prayers.

Best regards,

[Fawn]

He’s a liar....interesting to know you defend him.

[Copernicus]

He’s a liar....interesting to know you defend him.

Since neither of us has information sufficient to make a fully informed decision ad hominem seems particularly inappropriate for anyone interested in objective appraisal.

I formed my conclusions from the same reports available to you and I have outlined those conclusions here.

Of such is intellectually honest debate composed.

Best regards,

[Fawn]

The boy told police he was trying to scare the cat away from some quail and did not intend to hit it.

If you believe this, I have a nice lot I'd like to sell you. The kid lied....

[Copernicus]

As they say in Texas, any good prosecutor can convict a guilty man, but it takes a GREAT prosecutor to convict an innocent man.

It helps when the jury pool is shaped by the aid of a willing suspension of disbelief of an ignorant press and public.

[Fawn]

Skipping the gobbledy goop you just wrote about juries...the kid obviously lied to the police.

[sit-rep]

Warning, Graphic!! ?????

What was graphic about that video??

I think revving up a crisis ideology has rubbed off on a few folks...

[Daffynition]

See the editor of KBTV ... not my doing. Besides in deference to some squeamish folksals ... no harm, no foul.

[sit-rep]

No worries mate...

I’m a morbid blood-n-guts kinda guy... and was VERY disappointed!! ;)

[Daffynition]

Ha! I’ll remember that and ping you, especially if we get a thread started for some good road kill recipes! ;-P

[Copernicus]

Citation?

[Copernicus]

From a Wildlife Control Website in Boise,Idaho:

Feral Cats: Feral Cats are cats that were once, but are no longer domensticated or were born wild. They are no longer or never were properly socialized to humans. Feral Cats are usually not completely wild because they often depend on some type of co-existance with humans. They can be found scrounging behind restaurants, in garbage cans or dumpsters. Often, they are fed by people but do not receive any other care or socialization that is required for Domestic Cats. They live under decks, sheds or abandoned structures. However you describe these wild or semi-wild Cats, we can help you. Feral Cats carry diseases and harbor parasites. These parasites are transfered to domestic animals or carried into your home by pets and people. We have seen childrens sandboxes comtaminated and flower beds used as toilets. Their urine is concentrated and foul smelling. They will spray the sides of structures and cars. Their loud fighting and mating vocalizations are annoying and cause loss of sleep. Feral Cats will kill many song birds and other native species, leaving the carcasses strewn about your property. Along with their dead prey and the flies that accompany them, there are ususally dead cats as well. Without proper control measures, Feral Cat Colonies can become very large. The above mentioned problems then become dramatically compounded. Our Customers know exactly what we're talking about. A small Colony can become a big problem in a relatively short amount of time. For more information on Feral Cat Control, please examine these informative websites: The Wall Street Journal (pdf file) National Geografic National Audubon Society Resolution American Bird Conservancy Impacts of Feral & Free Ranging Cats on Bird Species... (5 State Review) TNR Reality Check (Trap-Neuter-Release)

[Fawn]

Oh brother...you need to update yourself...read my page. BTW-—our state wildlife center tried to legalize shooting outside cats (not just feral since you cant’ tell the difference) and they were caught on tape saying how much fun they would have blowing them away. If you hate cats, you should just stay off the threads and avoid showing your lack of knowledge about them...and don’t post cat hating information from cat hating groups. It’s a waste of time.

[Copernicus]

If you hate cats, you should just stay off the threads and avoid showing your lack of knowledge about them...and don’t post cat hating information from cat hating groups. It’s a waste of time.

Methinks you try once again to change the subject.

I have already posted my credentials- we nutured a cat to the incredibly old age of 23. When he died he was in complete possession of his feline mind but suffered from kidney failure.

We also took in a complete stray who was obviously well socialized to human companionship even as a malnurished kitten.

We currently have two 12 year old cats who are in nearly perfect health and upon whom we have spent an unfortunate amount of money including radioactive thyroid treatment for one.

I am far too familar with both sides of the cat debate and I merely press for a rational acknowledgement that not all cats are always adapted for the environment in which they live.

Feral cats are a menace to themselves, to other cats and other species including humans.

It may come as a shock to some people but there are cases where the only solution is to protect your immediate family against the intrusion of outside threats.

In the case of this news report, I suspect this child may have had some ambition in the direction of protection from outside threat. Sadly, he was improperly trained and improperly supervised with tragic consequences which he will have to bear with adult fortitude and strength.

If you wish to have a debate please confine it to the topic at hand. There is no "cat hate" here (which is actually just another form of diversionary ad hominem).

[Fawn]

Sadly, he was improperly trained and improperly supervised with tragic consequences which he will have to bear with adult fortitude and strength.

Yeah...the poor boy is a 'victim'..you just continue to pray for him...

Here are a couple other articles where you can pray for them too... victims everywhere!
D@mn. You just Enjoy...

http://www.katu.com/news/local/38884892.html

http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/039223.html

http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=115121

http://www.fox44.net/Global/story.asp?S=9777414

[Fawn]

Pray for these poor victims too--I'm sure they all had valid reasons to do what they did....after all animals are just property for Gods sake....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7869309.stm

http://www.bradenton.com/news/breaking_news/story/1203888.html

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/38874177.html

http://www.fortmilltimes.com/124/story/445229.html

http://www.irontontribune.com/news/2009/feb/03/animal-abuse-case-ends-all-fines-paid/

[Copernicus]

1. http://www.irontontribune.com/news/2009/feb/03/animal-abuse-case-ends-all-fines-paid/

2. http://www.katu.com/news/local/38884892.html

3. http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/039223.html

4. http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=115121

5. http://www.fox44.net/Global/story.asp?S=9777414

6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7869309.stm

7. http://www.bradenton.com/news/breaking_news/story/1203888.html

8. http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/38874177.html

9. http://www.fortmilltimes.com/124/story/445229.html

Interesting compilation of examples.

#1 Definitely criminal negligence, I assume mitigating circumstances through something like diminished capacity (low IQ?)

[Copernicus]

You make my case for me. Every example you provided involved some level of criminal negligence by an adult who had to be pursued in order to be charged.

In the case of our 12 year old, he and his father voluntarily stepped forwarded and offered a reasonable, if flawed, explanation for their conduct.

Apples and oranges.