Reward to catch cat killer rises to £1,800

REWARDS totalling £1,800 have been offered to find the criminals responsible for killing a cat by skewering it with a metre-long bamboo cane.

The attack on two-year-old tabby cat, Jack, left him with horrific fatal injuries.

Jack was found by the owner's neighbour on October 19 in Weston Mill.

Following the incident an anonymous donor came forward to offer up a £300 reward, then last week, another £500 was offered up by another anonymous donor for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

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The anonymous donor said: "I'm sickened by this.

"I wanted to match what the other donor was offering and I'd pay £500 to have these people caught.

"I can't understand how anyone could do this to an animal - it's outrageous.

"Reading the story made my blood run cold to think what that poor cat went through."

Yesterday another £1,000 was offered from charities Crimestoppers and the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The reward is being offered by PETA through independent charity Crimestoppers for information being passed on to the crime-fighting charity's 0800 555 111 number that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Stephen Pearce, chairman for Devon and Cornwall Crimestoppers, said: "This is a cruel and cowardly attack that has been carried out on a defenceless animal, and we are horrified by the injuries inflicted on Jack.

"The person or persons responsible for this crime need to be brought to justice and should not be allowed to get away with their actions.

"We are appealing to the public to pass on any information they might have to Crimestoppers anonymously and help us find those responsible."

PETA spokesperson, Ben Williamson, added: "It is imperative that any community faced with such horrific abuse of animals take measures to find the culprit or culprits and stop the violence. Animal abusers are a danger to everyone – they take their issues out on whomever is available to them, human or non-human."

Alex Harris, the owner of two-year-old Jack, spoke to The Herald about the incident last month.

A bamboo cane was forced diagonally through the tabby cat's body and after extensive surgery the cat passed away from his injuries.

Alex is currently in the Falklands with the Royal Navy.

Police say the attack was so sickening they are concerned about the kind of person who was behind it.

The investigation is currently ongoing and anyone with information can contact the police, in confidence, on 101, quoting crime reference number ED/12/5858.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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