It's a TV story. Sentence structure, etc., is different because of the use of voice intonation.
BTW, recommendation to all...click the link in the middle of the story to view the slideshows. This story is listed. (Oh, and I found lots of great information with the Hooters slideshow, too. "Arlington Hooters Loses License, Offers Free Beer") 
The site of the strange happenings, showing the bait heated birdbath. 
The slideshow has one more line than the story: "The cat is recovering at the shelter." with the following picture.
And a quote from the cat:
"I meant to do that, really!" ;-)