Richmond, Virginia – On the night of January 14, someone doused a black and white cat in accelerant and set him on fire. The cat suffered horribly before dying from the extensive burns that covered his body.
Surveillance footage captured the horrifying aftermath of the burning cat running in a fruitless attempt to escape the flames that engulfed his body. But the cat was unable to survive the savage cruelty.
Chipps Peters, with Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC), tells 12 On Your Side News:
“There’s no words that really justify the horrific nature of this act of cruelty. It’s unconscionable. I don’t know how someone can do something like this and continue on with their day. Some people like, ‘Oh, it’s just a cat, or it’s just an animal.’ This is a human being setting another living thing on fire. Our concern is someone that can do that is someone that is unsafe in the community.”
In 2019, the horrific burning of Tommie the Pitbull in Abner Clay Park led to Virginia passing a bill, making animal cruelty a felony crime.
Animal Victory is shocked by this horrifying savage act of cruelty and we want whoever is responsible to be found, arrested, charged, and punished! Please add your name to the petition which will be presented to court officials when this monster is identified and charged!
Please share this petition to help raise awareness of this crime, with the hope that the individual responsible will be found and brought to justice!
Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.
News:
Update 4/24/2024: Animal Victory received a response from Robert C. Leinberger, Jr., MHRM, Program & Operations Supervisor with Richmond Animal Care & Control. He let us know that the case is under active investigation, and they are doing their utmost to ensure that everything is being done correctly. Leinberger said, “We simply want to make sure everything is being done correctly and within the scope of the law.”
Update 4/23/2024: Animal Victory sent petition to Richmond Animal Care and Control.