Brave Boy Lauded For Rescuing Abused Cat From Group Of Bullies

[The Straight Story]

Manteo youngster praised for saving cat from abuse

The Outer Banks SPCA says the boy came upon four boys, between the ages of 5 and 13, who were throwing the cat in the air, running over him with their bicycles and squirting an energy drink in his face. view full article

Overton, who had already been watching out for the black and white kitty around the neighborhood, courageously stepped in when he encountered three youngsters, some as young as five, throwing the cat in the air, running him over with their bikes, and squirting energy drinks in his face.

Wendell bravely stopped the attack, and brought the ailing feline home to his mother, where the pair took the injured kitty to Roanoke Island Animal Clinic for treatment. The cat, named Jackson, suffered cuts to his paws and nose, but is expected to make a full recovery. He is currently resting comfortably at the Outer Banks SPCA, where he is waiting to be adopted.

The story has gained national attention thanks to social media, where the original post has amassed nearly 4,000 likes and hundreds of comments and shares. Last night, WVEC News interviewed Wendell and his mother, Julia, who fought back tears while talking about her son's bravery.

http://tinyurl.com/d6glx87

[Tien1985]

1. Good kiddo

10yrs old and standing up for animals. Good on him!

As for the others, I can't imagine. I won't try to speculate as to the cause of the behavior, but I do think some authority where they live SHOULD be looking into it more closely.

I hope they find someone to adopt the cat!

[loudsue]

2. Those bullies need to be hauled out of their homes.

Their parents aught to be charged with child neglect, and punished. Those kids didn't learn that behavior because they were born with it.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

6. +1000 n/t

[get the red out]

10. Thank you

It's high time to penalize the parents for the creation of these little monsters.

[joeybee12]

19. Agree...that young and so cruel...

Their future is horrific...for them and for those who come into contact with them.

[raccoon]

3. Those other kids obviously need some talking to about abusing animals. nt

[catbyte]

4. I wish their parents could be arrested

There's something really dark going on someplace when a group of kids get pleasure from torturing an animal. It makes me sick to my stomach. Good for Wendell. He is a hero.

[Pakid]

5. To bad their are not more peole like Wendell in the world

It is decent people like this that are our best hope for tomorrow! Good job Wendell!!!

[AndyA]

7. Those young children--abusing animals already--will grow up to bigger things

I hope the parents are required to get mental help for those kids, because there's something wrong with them that they want to inflict pain and fear into an animal.

They will grow up to become bullies and abusers if they don't get help now.

Hope the kitty recovers fully and spends a long, happy life in a forever home where it will only know love.

[loudsue]

8. I totally agree. The whole family needs mental help.

These are murderers/sociopaths in the making. They've already got a good start, as most serial killers got started torturing small animals. (George W. comes to mind. )

[MAD Dave]

13. Serious sign of psychopathy....

.....Abuse of animals by children is considered a very important sign of psychopathy. These children NEED help. The attention, while embarrassing to parents etc, likely saved their lives.

[sadbear]

12. I wonder if the death threats they'll soon receive will help?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. Agree, very serious. The abusers already are abusers now. They need help to grow out of it. nt

[sky imager]

9. Way to go kid..

As for the little punk animal abusers, in my day, you would have been taken to wood shed with switch and your tough little ass would have been blistered but good.

[HockeyMom]

11. We had a similar experience

when my daughter was around 7 year old. A couple of boys were in our backyard tying to hang a stray kitten from a tree. I heard my daughter screaming and ran outside. Fortunately, they had only gotten so far as tying the rope around its neck. I untied the cat, but my daughter ran away chasing the boys down the street screaming at them. They laughed at her.

She knew who they were, and I called their parents and told them what their sons were attempting to do. Yes, they learned this from their parents WHO DIDN'T CARE. "Oh, it was ONLY at cat". Excuse me?????

We took the kitten in. He grew up (INDOOR ONLY) to be a very beautiful Maine Coon boy who lived to be 16 years old. If the parents don't care about living creatures, their children won't either.

[narnian60]

18. The animals (& I) thank you.

[dgauss]

24. And doing that to a Maine Coon... The most gentle cats I've ever known.

[samsingh]

14. Bless him

[Riverman100]

16. Going out on a limb here

But I'll bet I can guess the political persuasion of the parents

[pecwae]

17. Those aren't bullies,

they're abusers.

Julia is rightfully proud of her wonderful son. Wish I could give him a hug myself.

To Wendell

[magical thyme]

20. a distinction without a difference?

I tend to think of it this way:

Bullies pick on somebody weaker, and abuse them mentally, emotionally and/or physically.

Abusers generally pick on somebody weaker and injure them mentally, emotionally and/or physically.

But I know others define it differently, so am curious.

Seems like you know the hero boy and his mother. Lucky you...Good company to keep!

[geek tragedy]

21. The cat abusers belong to the "Future Inmates of America" club.

Prison-bound losers.

[Blue Owl]

22. What a good kid and no doubt a result of good parenting too

Thanks Wendell, you ROCK!

[alp227]

23. To those four cruel boys...