Cat abuse reward nears $12K
Courtesy photo This cat was believed to have been dunked in diesel oil from a noose around its neck. It was taken to Alpine Animal Hospital for treatment on Saturday, but later had to be put down.
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
COEUR d'ALENE — Residents' determination to get whoever apparently drenched a cat in diesel oil has captured the attention of a national partner.
Residents made another $1,170 in pledges on Friday, bringing the local reward money total to $6,920 for information leading to the conviction of the suspect in the case.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a national nonprofit, also joined the search on Friday, offering a reward of up to $5,000 for such tips. The total reward is now at $11,715.
The male cat was found in the area of Montana Avenue and 13th Street last Saturday in Coeur d'Alene and was taken to Alpine Animal Hospital by a good Samaritan.
The cat had multiple injuries, including deep cuts on his neck consistent with a noose, according to clinic employees. It had oil in its lungs, a low temperature, abnormal breathing and seizures. It had to be euthanized despite several hours spent to save it.
"This cat suffered hideously as he was hanged, dunked in diesel oil and left for dead," said PETA Vice President Colleen O'Brien. "PETA joins the Coeur d'Alene community in calling for anyone with information about this horrific case to come forward so that whoever tortured this cat can be held accountable."
Hayden's Dorothy Gohl, who pledged $100 toward the reward on Friday, said she hopes the reward is now tempting enough for someone to speak to police.
"This could buy a nice car for someone," she said. "It's horrible that stuff like this goes on. Whoever did this likely bragged to somebody about it."
Police on Friday said no suspects have been identified.
Coeur d'Alene police Detective Jared Reneau said Crime Stoppers doesn't offer rewards in misdemeanor cases, which animal abuse is unless it's a repeat offense. He said his department can help spread the word on reward programs, but it doesn't administer such rewards.
Rathdrum's Pat Miller, who pledged $200, said the case has exposed the need to urge legislators to bump the penalty for first-time animal abuse to a felony.
"That (misdemeanor for animal abuse) makes me mad and I believe we need to contact our legislators about it," Miller said. "We're talking about a life."
Other local residents who pledged toward the reward on Friday included: an anonymous Rathdrum woman, $100; Coeur d'Alene's Larry Moore, $100; an anonymous Dalton Gardens woman, $20; Coeur d'Alene's Dolores Cowell, $50; Coeur d'Alene's Jacquie Brooks (through an online fundraiser), $150; an anonymous Coeur d'Alene woman, $250; and Coeur d'Alene's Leilani Stoody, $200. The Press has names and phone numbers of the anonymous pledgers.
The cat was found in the same vicinity as a cat that took a 4.5-inch blow dart to the face last May in the area of North Eighth Street and East Birch Avenue. That cat survived. Police have not linked the two cases.
Coeur d'Alene Police said this is the only recent animal abuse case the department has investigated.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 769-2320.