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 dont 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 theres more of a, oh its a child out being mischievous, made a mistake. I still think its important to make an impact on that child. Make sure we dont 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.
Make him look after cats and dogs in a pound. 1 hour a week for a month.
Here we go again. Outrage over an injured cat, and abortion continues without a peep out of the ninnies who hype these stories.
Its a cat.
First, there is nothing to suggest this is an animal abuse case.
The kid made a perfect shot on a feral cat. I am sure he will be demonized by all the usual suspects but I would surely like to learn more about his background and training before I take him to the dunking stool.
Best regards,
First, there is nothing to suggest this is an animal abuse case.
The kid made a perfect shot on a feral cat. I am sure he will be demonized by all the usual suspects but I would surely like to learn more about his background and training before I take him to the dunking stool.
Best regards,
More like one hour a day for a year.
Good basic idea, but make it 8 hours a week until he's 18.
How big a stretch is it to prohibit killing pork to put on your plate? Those animals have rights!
All this outrage over animal cruelty does not play well for our side.
Perhaps fine the kids family $100 and be done with it.
The anti-abortion folks are sometimes their own worst enemies.
And what shall we do with the redneck dolts who shoot deer?
Do not change the subject this has nothing to do with abortion.
It’s about a 12 year old who injured a animal with a arrow.
In season, with a license, be nice to them and they may be willing to share some sausage.
Poaching? The standard routine used to be take their gun and their truck.
No, but it has to do with letting the media get people in a frenzy about stuff like this. Remember Michael Vick? So what, a couple of dogs got killed. Fine him and move on. If you allow society to skewer him over a few dogs, how far are we from not allowing deer hunting, or boiling lobsters in hot water, or roasting pigs?
By getting outraged over this stuff, you play into the lefts hand. I saw a story where a guy hit a bird with a golf ball.. You would have thought he stabbed an old lady. Fine him and move on.
I do not understand why conservatives let the media work them into a froth over a stupid dogf or cat or bird , considering their complete silence on killing babies.
Fine the kid for killing indiscriminately. Maybe $100. And that is the end of it. Making a HUGE deal over this stuff is not going to end the way conservatives want it to end.
I think you are being a little harsh..
On second thoughts get him a kitten and make him look after it.
It will give him respect for animals.
Of course intention matters. The boy is obviously pro-quail and anti-cat. This is a feline hate crime and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law!
The owner of the cat told police that he did not wish to press charges against the boy.
Sorry dont sound like a Feral cat to me. 12 year oll made this shot with a bow while protecting some Quail. Something does not sound right to me.
I am not outraged or in a frenzy,i would just like that the child understands what he did.
If my 12 yr old shoots a animal,he will be doing it so we can eat it..
Punishment in kind for the little prick!
I will assure you, however, that one's desire not to see any animal abused does not a Liberal make.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.