Humane Society offers reward for information on skinned cat

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Humane Society offers reward for information on skinned cat

By Dee Riggs
World staff writer

Originally published October 31, 2011 at 10:16 a.m., updated November 1, 2011 at 9:05 a.m.

ROCK ISLAND — Officials with the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society are asking for the public’s help in investigating a skinned cat in the Rock Island area. They are offering a reward of up to $500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the animal cruelty.

The body of the cat was found about 5:15 p.m. Sunday by a man living in the 5200 block of Monesmith Drive.

The property is is just west of the Rock Island city limits. Monesmith Drive is along Big Bow Lake.

Cpl. Sandy Larsen with the Humane Society said she heard that people were partying in the area on Saturday but she did not know if that was related to the cat mutilation. She also noted that Halloween is a time when cats are vulnerable to being injured.

From what fur was left on the cat, it appeared to have been a gray and white cat, Larsen said. She is asking anyone with information on the cat to call the Humane Society at 662-9577, Ext. 1.

— Dee Riggs, World staff

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» 44 comments on this story

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Annsboy 1 year, 6 months ago

I'm not a big pet fan but what kind of sicko skins a cat?

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

Should this sorry excuse for a human ever be caught, I wonder if "turnabout is fair play" would be appropriate punishment?

Patrick 1 year, 6 months ago

Skinned alive would be too kind for this sick piece of

karilg 1 year, 6 months ago

I was thinking the same thing!

webwolf 1 year, 6 months ago

Disgusting and sick.

TerryFinn 1 year, 6 months ago

"he saw evidence that the cat may have crawled some distance after being skinned,"

... there are no words ..

Patrick 1 year, 6 months ago

That broke my heart.

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

Fortunately, the WW edited that sentence out today. It probably never should have been in the article, but heartbroken is just the beginning of what it made me feel. Thanks for the edit, Dee.

KMSmith 1 year, 6 months ago

You can judge the caracter of a person by the way he or she treats animals. (and its an indicator for violence against people)

I agree with the group, skinned alive would be too good for this subhuman.

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

You can also judge a lot about a person based on what they consider to be justice.

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

Curious here kyook. What would you consider justice in this particular case? I'm at a loss for ideas on how such a person should be punished.

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

I would leave that up to the court system, I'm thinking some jail time and/or fines etc. I kinda think skinning the perps alive sounds a bit extreme. That would kinda make us as bad as them (or worse), wouldn't it?

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

Oh kyook . . . you are trying to take all the fun out of this one by being logical and talking sense! What kind of deal is that?

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

Oh...sorry. I thought you were being serious. I should have known better. :o)

I just love this kind of story. They make the cowboy justice advocates come out of the woodwork. (Or at least the ones full of false bravado.)

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

Well, I was serious, at least to a point. The cruelty of this act seems to exceed the limits, of even criminal activity. Granted that we are protected from cruel and unusual punishment, but the concept of punishment befitting the crime is also valid. In my mind the question of how should the person who offends in such a manner be punished seems to be one that should be asked. I asked it of you simply because I do think you are a pretty level headed person who is blessed with the ability to think, and so I thought perhaps you would have some idea on how to deal with something so heinous in a more severe manner.

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

OK, how about if their sentence is at the top of the sentencing range for this crime, which has undoubtedly already been established? I'd go along with that. Whether or not that is severe enough punishment or not is left up to individual interpretation, I guess. But I think skinning the perps alive goes a little overboard.

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

Yes, but unfortunately, I would imagine that the max penalty for animal cruelty (I guess that's what they would be charged with) isn't much. I'll be darned if I'll take the time to look it up, but this just doesn't seem to be in the same league with not feeding properly or leaving your animal out in the cold. Maybe I'm not thinking clearly about what charges could be brought against this person, but animal cruelty is all that comes to mind.

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

I agree, animal cruelty comes in degrees, this definitely sounds like first degree to me. I'm not going to research the penalties either but I'm sure that the penalties for first degree are stiffer than for second. I doubt that skinning the perps alive are among the options in the sentencing guidelines.

RCW 16.52.205 Animal cruelty in the first degree. RCW 16.52.207 Animal cruelty in the second degree.

KMSmith 1 year, 6 months ago

Wow - didn't think my post would bring out such a discussion. No matter how much better it may make us feel to inflict some pain on an individual who would do this to an animal it is right to have the judical/legal system take care of this individual.

I am not sure the penalty will fit the crime. And I am even more afraid that with the lack of mental health services in the Valley the individual will not get any help and will continue to hurt animals and then move on to humans.

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

The saddest part is that there is a good chance this clown has a dog which he thinks is far superior to cats and wouldn't dream of doing the same thing to his "wonderful" pooch. Yes, I know I'm assuming a lot, but as I said, there's a good chance. This goes far beyond cruelty, and the very thought upsets me a great deal.

Tim 1 year, 6 months ago

Most people, believers or not, have some evidence in them of being made in the image of God. This would be agout as close to "Godlessness" as a human can get.

If you could do this to any creature you have no ability to love in you.

Michael 1 year, 6 months ago

Actually, Tim, the "godless" atheists tend to be cat lovers, even preferentially over dogs.

Just an example (not scientific or anything): http://www.atheistnexus.org/forum/topics/resolved-atheists-are-more-cat

The act of killing/skinning a cat is more likely to have been committed by someone whose mind has been poisoned by certain religions and other superstitions that believed that cats are somehow associated with "demons" or are "instruments of the devil."

Atheists on average have higher respect for all animals than theists who, for example, have the infantile idea that they've been granted "dominion over all of the animals of the earth" by some "god."

I, personally, treat my cats as if they were my human children. I would defend with all I had against anyone who tried to harm them. So take your bigoted comments about "godlessness" somewhere else.

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

Please, let's not let Tim turn this into another theological discussion, shall we? This is an article about animal cruelty.

Tim 1 year, 6 months ago

" let's not let Tim ..."

Rallying the troops Kyook? I personally think animal cruelty is an affront to God and a very theological issue. I think life and death is a very theological issue. Am I not entitled to that opinion?

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

You certainly are entitled to your opinion Tim. However, that doesn't mean you are obligated to divert every discussion.

I happen to like cheese but that doesn't mean cheese is pertinent to every discussion.

Tim 1 year, 6 months ago

If you feel a discussion of Pepper jack or Gouda applies here you should throw it in. I feel every moral issue is a faith issue so that is how I comment. You do more to draw attention to me. I appreciate the attention you give my comments. Thank you!

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

I don't particulaly care for Pepper Jack but Gouda is nice. Why don't we discuss it at length?

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

So the next question must be "Who cut the cheese?", right?

Tim 1 year, 6 months ago

If the Gouda fits...as they say. Hold ther pepper, Jack!

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

And might I add that although we are all guilty (well, most of us at least) of bending this guideline a bit, I post this extract from the "Membership Guidelines".
"The basics: We encourage members to stay on topic. Nothing is worse than going to a story and looking at a comment thread that goes off topic after the second posting."

Tim 1 year, 6 months ago

My original comment was on topic. I voiced an opinion directly at the issue. this discussion about my right to make such comments is most certainly off topic and can stop any time now.

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

Absolutely right, kyook. Mr. Michael Michael should also be advised that his statements are equally as bigoted as Tim's, so I agree with kyook. This is not in any way a religious discussion.

Tim 1 year, 6 months ago

And I find cruelty an important religious issue. Even Michael acknowledged that it is a spiritual matter. Those worshiping other than the Christian God are far more likely to do such a terrible thing.

Tim 1 year, 6 months ago

Michael, YOUR statement really has no baring on my statement(except for the personal attack).

My opinion that you need not believe in God to have godly characteristics and display God's love for creation was nothing derogatory toward Atheists. Whether Atheists like cats or dogs had nothing to do with my statement. In fact I said something opposite of your comments. That it would take someone with little or no godly characteristics to do such a fiendish act seems to reflect the over all sentiment here just fine.

As for my right to my opinion, Michael and Kyook; We all have our perspective and mine happens to put things on a spiritual level.

By the way, Michael, there is nothing more "godless" than one who worships the devil. I happen to agree, it would take someone who is decidedly against God to be so destructive of life.

Enesvy 1 year, 6 months ago

Michael, "godless" does not mean "atheist." Godless generally is another word for depraved or, in this case, sadistic. If Tim was talking about atheists, he would've used the term. He wasn't. He was talking about depraved people. Like the one who tortured an animal that couldn't defend itself.

Kellie 1 year, 6 months ago

I saw this and it nearly had me in antics yesterday. I accidentally left my black cat outside while I was at work. She is fine every other day, but I always keep her in on Halloween, just in case. She was fine when I got home of course, but thanks for the anxiety driven afternoon WW. Such a sad story and sad excuse for the human(s) who did this.

11Bravo 1 year, 6 months ago

Despicable, and it is common for serial killers to have also mutilated animals. Let's hope the creepo gets caught. I'm sure anyone he runs with will be glad to "drop a dime" on him. (For you youngsters that is report him:))

holenote 1 year, 6 months ago

One can only hope that Karma will intervene swiftly & surely.

mtstream55n 1 year, 6 months ago

I want to puke! Skinning the culprits would be too kind of a punishment!

mtstream55n 1 year, 6 months ago

Sent to PETA

webwolf 1 year, 6 months ago

Thanks... this still bothers me. I can't even imagine a punishment fitting...

Stever 1 year, 6 months ago

As a cat lover, I truly feel sorry for the poor animal. However, what I find fascinating is the overwhelming interest in this story while other stories are absent the indignation expressed here. What stories? Oh, the articles about men, women, children and yes, animals, blown to bits and dying horrible, slow, agonizing deaths as a result of actions by the U.S. in three unjustifiable wars. Sorry, guess I'm off-topic.

catfish2 1 year, 6 months ago

I am sickened by the thought of some despicable, low-life vermin torturing an animal in such a way. Washington State laws define this as first degree animal cruelty which is a Class C felony. Please call the Humane Society and donate reward money for finding perpetrator of this heinous crime.