Reward of Up to $5,000 Offered for Help Nabbing Cat Abuser

PETA Joins Search for Culprit(s) Who Allegedly Doused Cat With Gasoline and Stuffed Her in a Garbage Bag

For Immediate Release:
April 7, 2017

Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382

Reading, Pa. – On Tuesday, two workers from Harold Adam Refuse Removal made a horrifying discovery on the 500 block of N. Front Street in Reading: A 1-year-old cat had been doused with gasoline, placed in a trash bag, and thrown out with the garbage. When the workers heard her meowing from inside the truck, they rushed her to humane authorities for emergency veterinary care. The cat, now named Miracle Maisy, is suffering from skin sensitivity. Most of her gasoline-soaked fur had to be shaved off, and the gasoline may have caused damage to her lungs and neurological functioning—but she is expected to recover.

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County is investigating the incident, but law-enforcement officials have yet to make any arrests in this case, prompting PETA to offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction on cruelty charges of the person or persons responsible for the crime.

“This cat suffered hideously as she was doused with gasoline, tied up in a garbage bag, and thrown out with the trash,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA urges anyone with information about this case to come forward immediately so that this cat’s abuser can be held accountable and prevented from hurting anyone else.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—urges families to keep their animal companions safely indoors and never leave them unattended or allow them to roam outdoors, where they may be stolen, attacked by other animals, or abused by cruel people.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Animal Rescue League of Berks County at 610-373-8830, extension 121.

For more information about helping animals, please visit PETA.org.