Posted on 01/25/2009 5:28:39 PM PST by 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.
This happens a lot, do a google image search of “cat shot” and theres lots of kitties with arrows in them, unbelievable.
Me and my arrow.
This happens a lot, do a google image search of “cat shot” and theres lots of kitties with arrows in them, unbelievable.
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I, too, had a childhood tabby who was shot with one. Took a serious, round chunk out of his shoulder. We lived literally feet from the Wildlife Refuge and we could always hear poachers in the woods with ‘coon dogs’ late at night. We suspected someone did think he was a raccoon because of his coloring.
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.
Make him look after cats and dogs in a pound.
1 hour a week for a month.
Pure idiocy. Just yank the stupid arrow out. If the cat lives, it lives. Better yet, just shoot the thing and end it’s misery. Who’s paying for all of this nonsense anyway?
Someone could have taught to the kid to live trap them, and put the disposal of the same to the political entity that's going to prosecute him.
Hope this doesn't destroy the kid's life.
/johnny
Given that it is a feral cat, and given that the injuries are horrific (I saw them) wouldn’t it have been kinder to the cat to put her down humanely?
You’d rather spend money on stupid cat surgery than on a real human being?? A cat that no one owns? A feral cat that should be put down anyway?
I think you should re evaluate your priorities.
You’re right, the cat should of been put down humanely. However, since “we” are conservatives I don’t believe my money should be taken from me and given to anyone. I’ll choose if I want to help someone out.
Excellent point.
Your sharp wit is on target.
Same here. We have two (indoor) cats. Feral anything can grow to be a real problem...horses,coyotes,dogs,cats,rats,etc.
They spread disease, live brutal short lives and can be a huge liability to the natural order.
This kid put a good hit on that cat, it is amazing it lived. The fact he will now be browbeaten by all the usual suspects and sent to a re-education camp is a sad comment on the low state of our civilization.
Always use enough gun (or arrow).
Best regards,
Well, time flies like an arrow.... fruit flies like a banana.
Lots of talk on this thread about worthless cats.
What about the kid? Who is ready to hire him as a babysitter?
Cat.............the other white meat; on a stick !
It’s time to up the ante in animal cruelty cases across the board. Case studies abound demonstrating that many of those who abuse animals will someday also have no hesitation about torturing your venerable uncle Igor or lovely niece, Lorena, just for sadistic jollies. Many are hopeless personality defects and cannot be truly reformed; perhaps they can be dissuaded by known severe adverse consequences to their person. The only thing dear to them. It’s worth trying.
If he is already educated in the protection of the community at his young age and is prepared to do what is necessary to advance that protection I would have to say he would make an excellent baby sitter, to the extent that men are hired for baby sitting.
I made my pocket money shoveling snow, cutting grass and selling greeting cards door to door.
Best regards,
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