At least three cats have been found shot with a pellet gun in South Los Angeles since February, prompting People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible.
Rising Concerns Over Animal Abuse
One cat died as a result of the shootings. Another cat, named Albert, was found with a bullet lodged in his spine near the corner of W. 94th Street and Vermont Avenue. He is currently in foster care and is expected to have a limp and require pain medication for the rest of his life, according to reports.
A representative from Friends of Normie Rescue told ABC7 that dozens of cats have been shot in the area. PETA has expressed concern over what they describe as a growing animal abuse epidemic and a lack of response from local authorities.
Call for Investigation
PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange stated, “It’s past time that local animal control do their jobs and investigate these shootings before more cats finish up injured or dead.”
Estimates suggest there are nearly a million stray cats in Los Angeles. PETA is also promoting its “Here Kitty, Kitty” campaign, which urges cat owners to maintain their pets indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted PETA to offer a reward?
PETA offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for shooting cats in South Los Angeles.
What is known about the cats that were shot?
At least three cats were shot with a pellet gun since February. One cat died and another, named Albert, sustained a spinal injury and will likely require lifelong pain management.
What is the City of Los Angeles doing to address the stray cat population?
The city launched the Citywide Cat Program in 2022, which provides funding for organizations to humanely catch, spay or neuter, and release stray cats.
If authorities are able to identify a suspect, a criminal investigation and potential prosecution could follow. It remains to be seen whether the reward will generate leads and bring an end to these attacks.
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