westy

In Colorado, on May 26, 2001, Westy, a brown tabby, was set on fire and thrown from a moving vehicle. Witnesses said that the burning cat was thrown out of a late-model Mustang by two males in their late teens or early 20s. Fortunately, the public came through, and two teen-age boys have been arrested in the torture of Westy because of tips from the public. The two teenagers can not be publicly identified due to their age, but the 16-year-old driver surrendered at 10 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2001, in the company of his parents, and later, a 17-year-old identified as the passenger was arrested at his home. Both were released to their parents. Charges of animal cruelty, a class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to a year in jail and $1,000 fine, are pending. Why did these �boys� do this to poor Westy? How did Westy end up in their car? What had the poor cat been through *before* they set him on fire and tossed him from their moving car into the street? What was going through their heads as they performed this violent act against a poor defenseless cat? The answers to these questions are probably very scary.

Westy was taken to Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital by Westminster Animal Control, where he remains in serious condition. The attack caused burns to 50% of the Westy�s body, including his ears, tail and sides, and his whiskers were burned off. Veterinarians at Wheat Ridge shaved off poor Westy�s scorched fur and applied cream to soothe his burned skin. Westy required numerous skin grafts and is receiving 24-hour care in hopes of warding off infections. According to Dr. Don Otswald, it will take about two weeks until he heals enough to be able to know if Westy can fight infection.

Apparently Westy is a fighter and is determined to live. Even in his serious condition, he wants to get up and move around, and his attitude is good. He continues to improve every day with no serious setbacks. As of June 9, 2001, Westy's fever has subsided and his temperature has returned to normal. He continues to eat well and can walk on all four limbs. He remains in serious but stable condition.

We hope that these two will be formally charged and, as soon as that information becomes available, we will let you know, as well as post any relevant contact information. Please keep Westy in your prayers because, although he is making excellent progress, he is not out of the woods yet.

Anyone who would like to help with the medical expenses, please send your donations to:

Table Mountain Animal Center
Account WE289
4105 Youngfield Service Road
Golden, CO 80401

Please send letters in regards to this case and demand justice in the name of Westy.

District Attorney Robert Grant
District Attorney's Office
Juvenile Division
450 South 4th Avenue
Brighton, Colorado 80601
Phone: 303-659-7720
Fax: 303-654-6088
[email protected]

Jeff Cahn, Lead Prosecutor
Prosecuting Attorneys' Office
Municipal Court
3030 Turnpike Drive
Westminster, CO 80030
Phone: 303-430-2400, extension 2262
Fax: 303-487-9689

SEND A COPY TO:

Governor Bill Owens
136 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203-1792
Phone: 303-866-2471
http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/governor_office.html
[email protected]

Dear:

In Colorado, on May 26, 2001, Westy, a brown tabby, was set on fire and thrown from a
moving vehicle. Witnesses said that the burning cat was thrown out of a late-model Mustang
by two males in their late teens or early 20s. Fortunately, the public came through, and two teen-age boys have been arrested in the torture of Westy because of tips from the public.

I ask you to prosecute aggressively, because youthful animal cruelty offenders are a danger
to the entire community, humans and animals alike. Please do not think person so cruel and inhuman, of any age, will stop their abusing after harming 'just an animal'. There is a long list of serial killers/murderers who started with animals (Jeffrey Dahmer is included in this list among other well-known killers) and DIDN'T stop there... Every living being deserves protection against abuse, pain, terror and death - whether they walk on two legs, or four.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

UPDATE

WESTY�S ADOPTION ANNOUNCED

(Wheat Ridge), (CO)-Friday, September 28th at 2:00 p.m. Table Mountain Animal Center and Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital held a press conference to introduce the new owner of Westy the cat. Jenny Pace, a certified veterinary technician from Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital is the new adoptive owner of Westy. Jenny has been Westy�s primary care taker since he has been at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital. Doctors stated that Westy will be able to go home with Jenny in a couple of days.

Dr. Don Ostwald updated that Westy has been at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital since Saturday, May 26th after being intentionally set on fire by two teenage boys in Westminster. He has been hospitalized for 126 days, including 60 days in the intensive care unit. He has had 4 major surgeries including amputation of his left hind leg, his tail and the tips of his ears. He has also had multiple skin grafts. Dr. Ostwald stated that Westy is expected to live a long life, but stressed that he will be a �special needs� cat for the rest of his life. He will need frequent rechecks and possibly some minor surgeries as his skin continues to contract. Westy�s medical expenses have totaled an estimate of $28,000. Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital has donated all services to Table Mountain Animal Center and will receive no payment for their services.

Donna Straub, director of Table Mountain Animal Center announced that all of the donations received for Westy will be contributed to a newly established �Westy Fund� to assist with emergency veterinary medical expenses of sick strays, injured strays or cruelty case animals. Additionally, it will establish a minimum of $1,000 for rewards leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) committing cruelty to animals in Jefferson County. It will also cover medical costs up to $200 for treating these animals at any veterinary clinic contracted for services with Table Mountain Animal Center.

State Senator Deanna Hanna of Lakewood announced that she will be introducing the �Westy Bill� in January 2002. The proposed bill will make a 1st offense of animal cruelty a felony. It will increase the fines for juveniles as well as providing counseling for these juveniles and their families.