Justice for Quattro

No Comments

Photo of author

By Karen Harrison Binette

34453534543345
.

Some small measure of justice has been achieved for the stray cat named Quattro who was brutally attacked by children earlier this year in Paterson, New Jersey and then died from his injuries despite best efforts to save him.

The three male juveniles, ages 6, 10, and 12, have pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty in the May 7 attack that cost Quattro his life. The juveniles have been ordered to undergo two years of extensive psychiatric and psychological therapy including treatment on anger and impulse awareness, animal sensitivity and victim awareness. They will be on probation for the next two years, and will be brought back to juvenile court for any violations. The felony charge will remain on their records.

Quattro sustained severe injuries when his attackers pelted him with stones, sticks and bricks. The beaten cat was rescued from his attackers by two slightly older boys, brothers who took him home and tried to make him comfortable.  Quattro’s rescuers chased his tormenters away, then carefully placed him in a box before taking him home and giving him food and water.

The brothers who rescued Quattro later asked news crews covering the story not to name or film them because of the fear of retribution.

Quattro was helped again after the brothers brought him home, when Renee Olah, founder of Chance at Life Cat Rescue, was contacted and rushed him to an emergency veterinary hospital.  Quattro had multiple fractures and other injuries and had to have one eye removed. In one of several heart-wrenching details on the case, Quattro’s claws were ripped from his paws as he tried desperately and futilely to escape his brutal tormenters.

Despite all attempts to save him, Quattro died five days after the attack.

Renee and other animal lovers pulling for Quatro to survive were devastated at the loss and vowed to seek justice for him. The Justice for Quattro Facebook page stood as a rallying point for those determined not to let Quattro die completely in vain with no consequences for his killers.

Prosecuters in the case against the boys credit Renee and those carrying the banner for Quattro for helping to win justice and say that their support and diligence played a major role in seeing the case through to the guilty pleas.

In an attempt to bring some meaningful change, and hope for other animals, Passaic County prosecutors are working on a program designed to educate children to show compassion for animals.

Quattro’s case was one where public input was welcomed by the prosecution and helped to bring abusers to justice.

Justice for Quattro announced the news on the boys’ pleas and sentences at Facebook yesterday, and thanked supporters writing:

Hello Quattro’s Friends and Supporters,

Today is the day you have been waiting for since May 7, 2014.

Renee called for an update today and first spoke to Passaic County Prosecutor Donna Gade who told Renee that the court date was a couple of weeks ago and it went as we wanted. Our voices were heard and Quattro was not ignored or forgotten. Then minutes later Passaic County Prosecutor Jennifer Bedrin personally called Renee to thank her for all her dedication and she was glad to take the time to tell Renee what happened in the court room that day.

Because of their age, the public was not informed of their court appearance, which happened recently. However, your emails and letters where ever-present in their minds on this day!

We were told that they took this case very seriously from day 1. To them, Quattro was not “just a cat” but the victim of a heinous and unspeakable beating, that we all know ultimately led to his death.

They told Renee they received OVER 1,000 LETTERS AND EMAILS from Quattro’s supporters. They were so taken by your outpouring of support and determination to get justice that they told Renee it fueled them more to get Quattro the justice he deserved. They assured Renee that the charges were never going to be dropped or lessened and they were going to make sure of that!

Here’s what happened: All three boys pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, which is a felony. They admitted to torturing Quattro so badly that it lead to his death.

They have all received 2 years of extensive psychiatric and psychological therapy. Some of the treatments they will be receiving are anger and impulse awareness, animal sensitivity and victim awareness. The felony charge will be on their records.

The boys will be on probation for 2 years and they are watching the boys closely and if they don’t comply to the orders from the judge at anytime they will be brought back in.

Also the prosecutors of Passaic are working on a program for juveniles to do their community service through a program that will be dedicated to educate these children how to treat animals. They hope to have it up and running soon.

Renee called me crying over this verdict. She was so touched that the prosecutors listened to us. She was overwhelmed at how much you all did to help make this happen. She is also so grateful and thankful for the prosecutors Donna and Jennifer for not allowing Quattro to be forgotten.

From the bottom of our hearts, once again, we say thank you! If you see abuse, report it. If you see abuse, stop it! We are here to help one another and we are here to be the voice of those that have no voice!

In memory and tears we at Justice for Quattro are thankful for the good people in this world and we will hug those we love a bit tighter tonight for Quattro.

. .
. . 1529758_281763981994503_7939363971871184116_o   Cheryl Hanna covered the resolution to the case in a story in the Examiner.

About Author

Leave a Comment