$5,000 reward offered by Best Friends in kitten abuse case

Best Friends Animal Society is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) responsible for encasing a kitten in a cement-filled tube in Colorado City, Arizona, on May 31, 2012.

Kitten abuse situation in Colorado City, Arizona

The kitten was rescued and then brought to Best Friends Animal Society’s clinic in Kanab, Utah, where the medical team and maintenance staff worked for several hours to free the kitten from dried cement that had adhered to his body. The kitten, whom the Best Friends medical team named Thomas, succumbed to his massive injuries June 4.

Gregory Castle, chief executive officer of Best Friends Animal Society, said he hopes the reward will prompt someone to come forward with information about the incident.

"We were all deeply saddened at seeing what Thomas went through, and shocked to know that someone out there could inflict this kind of cruelty on another living being," says Castle.

"Though we were not able to save Thomas, we were able to draw comfort knowing that in his final hours, we were able to show him that people can be kind and loving, and that we were able to relieve his pain."

Castle said it was also unfortunate that the incident has been projected on the entire Colorado City community.

Spay and neuter for feral cats in Colorado City

"Since there is no veterinarian in Colorado City, we have for years worked with the community to offer free spay/neuter and vaccinations for their community cats [feral and stray felines] as well as medical care for their family pets. Colorado City residents care deeply about their animals and they have brought hundreds of them to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for spaying and neutering."

Contact Mohave (Arizona) County Sheriff’s Office

Persons with information about the incident should contact the Mohave (Arizona) County Sheriff’s Office at 800-526-1911.