Reward offered for arrest of suspect who used shotgun on cat

(MyFoxBoston.com) – The MSPCA has announced a $2,000 reward leading to an animal cruelty conviction in the case of a cat shot with a shotgun in Northbridge in April. The reward is the largest in the organization's history.

The stray cat, an orange tabby, was estimated to be no more than 5 years old when it was found on April 18 on property belonging to James Knott, Sr. The cat suffered for up to two days with a mangled, infected, and extremely pain hind leg before being rescued.

Knott rushed the cat to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton where veterinarians had to amputate the cat's left hind leg because it was too damaged to be saved.

Renamed "Tiger" by Knott, the cat is now recovering at Knott's home. Knott plans to keep the cat if an owner is not positively identified.

The amount of the reward reflects the severity of the case and the degree to which this cat suffered after it was shot.

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.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the MSPCA at 800-628-5808.

Cox Media Group