Man Opens His Home to Wounded Cat, Reward is Offered to Find Abuser

The Massachusette Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Angell Animal Medical Center announced a reward today in the case of an injured cat who lost a leg after being shot but is on the mend.

Tiger, an orange tabby thought to be about 5 years old, was found on April 18 by a handyman who works for Northridge, MA resident James Knott Sr. Mr. Knott has assumed responsibility for the wounded cat, paying for his medical care and taking him into his home.

Mr. Knott talks about his efforts to help Tiger in a video from the Worcester Telegram.  When the veterinarian suggested euthanization as an option for the wounded cat, Mr. Knott said “Fix it!” When the vet then said they’d have to amputate, he said “Do whatever you have to do.”

Mr. Knott  has since paid for the Tiger’s surgeries,  including the amputation and removal of a pellet from the cat’s gallbladder, along with related medical expenses.

Tiger is recovering with Mr. Knott and his wife at their home. Mr. Knott has grown attached to Tiger and is committed to finding the person who harmed him.

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Here is the news release from MSPCA:

BOSTON, May 2, 2013 – The MSPCA-Angell’s Law Enforcement department today announced a $2,000 reward for information that leads to an animal cruelty conviction in the case of a stray cat found critically wounded by a shotgun blast. The amount is the largest initial reward the MSPCA has ever offered at the start of an animal cruelty investigation and it reflects the level of cruelty imposed on the cat, who suffered for up to two days with a mangled, infected and extremely painful hind leg.

The orange tabby cat, estimated to be no more than five years old, was found on April 18 on property belonging to James Knott Sr. of Northbridge, Mass. Knott, an animal lover, rushed to the property to collect the cat and bring him to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton. Veterinarians had to amputate the cat’s left hind leg as it was too damaged to be saved. Moved by the cat’s plight, Knott opened up his home to the animal—who he has renamed “Tiger”—where the cat is now recovering.

MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement Officer Christine Allenberg is investigating. “What happened to this cat is as senseless as it is cruel, and we will do everything possible to identify and prosecute whoever is responsible. As our investigation is just beginning, and with few leads, I’m asking the public to please call us with any information they may have.”

The MSPCA’s Law Enforcement hotline is 800-628-5808. Callers can remain anonymous if they wish and all leads will be investigated aggressively by the Law Enforcement team.

Animal cruelty is a felony crime in Massachusetts that carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine.

The MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement team works with the organization’s adoption centers, hospital and advocacy experts to investigate animal abuse in Massachusetts. In 2012 the department investigated over 2,000 animal cruelty complaints around the Commonwealth.

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The MSPCA-Angell is a national and international leader in animal protection and veterinary medicine and provides direct hands-on care for thousands of animals each year. Founded in 1868, it is the second-oldest humane society in the United States. Services include animal protection and adoption, advocacy, humane education, law enforcement, and world-class veterinary care. The MSPCA-Angell is a private, non-profit organization. It does not receive any government funding nor is it funded or operated by any national humane organization. The MSPCA-Angell relies solely on the support and contributions from individuals who care about animals. 

Readers can click here if they would like to donate to the MSPCA’s Law Enforcement department as it investigates alleged animal cruelty cases.

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Karen Harrison Binette

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