When an abused kitten was brought to Pasado's Safe Haven of Snohomish County in February 2001, the animal protection agency's staff members were not prepared for what they saw. Angel's anus had been ruptured, she had suffered internal injuries and neurological damage, and her tail was badly broken. Emergency surgery was necessary to treat her colon and rectal cavity, and her tail had to be amputated to prevent gangrene.
What could have happened to this kitten? Well, what did happen is the unthinkable and what is even worse is that her attackers have yet to be punished.
Neighborhood children interviewed by Pasado's Safe Haven recount Angel's vicious abuse at the hands of two sadistic boys, both age 13. Angel had reportedly been following the youths when they turned on her, picked her up, shook and swung her violently, and repeatedly threw her to the ground. When Angel attempted escape by climbing a tree, the boys followed and "[were] shoving [a stick] into the cat and hitting [her] behind." Angel was torn from the tree by her tail and thrown to the ground. According to one witness, "She hit [the ground] and didn't move much because I think she was in pain." The following day, a stumbling Angel greeted one neighborhood child who reports, "[T]he hair on the back of [her] legs was dried with blood and poop. [She] had poop and blood on [her] tail and the tail, was not moving-it was dangling. [She] was walking awkwardly and limping."
Surely this type of brutal attack warrants a severe punishment, no matter what the age of the attackers.
The Snohomish County sheriff's office stated to the media, "Although the boys acted in a careless manner and may have used poor judgment, it does not appear that [they] intentionally tried to injure the kitten." They interviewed no witnesses, made no attempts to speak with the attending veterinarians and declined to review Pasado Safe Haven's documentation. The Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office chose to announce that NO charges will be brought against the boys who hurt Angel the day after 500 people packed a Snohomish County Council Public Hearing to complain about the lack of attention to animal cruelty issues in Snohomish County.
Pasado's Safe Haven is now appealing to KING-TV's Chief Investigator Duane Pohlman to investigate how animal abuse and neglect cases are handled in Snohomish County, WA, where Angel was abused.
Please e-mail Duane Pohlman at [email protected]
First, thank him for his wonderful work in the past and his investigational talents as a reporter. Ask him to look into Snohomish County Animal Control. Why was Angel's case considered over before the vet's reports were even read? Before the vets had been interviewed? Before the kitten was even looked at by deputies? Over 550 people complained about their experiences with Snohomish County Animal Control at a May 9th County Council Public Hearing. How many other cases of animal suffering have gone on without proper investigation.
Read more about Angel's story at http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/angel/htm |
