Cat beaten and nailed to utility pole shows improvement will probably survive

[RamboLiberal]

The case of a cat found beaten and nailed to a utility pole in rural Henry County is sparking outrage and flooding the local Humane Society chapter with pledges to help pay the animal's medical bills.

Those working to save the cat have named him "Dutch" because he was found hanging from a utility pole off of Dutch Road outside Geneseo, about 150 miles from Chicago.

The cat had been badly beaten and then nailed to the pole by its rear paw. A driving down Dutch road on Monday saw the cat and called authorities.

Bonnie Wick, a volunteer at the Henry County Humane Society, says Dutch suffered brain swelling and that's what has veterinarians most worried. It's too early to say for sure that the cat will survive. There was a hopeful sign this morning, however. When the his cage was opened, Dutch jumped into a volunteer's arms and began nuzzling her and mewing, according to Wick.

The Henry County Sheriff's Department is investigating the case. The AP reports the cat has a microchip but the owners can't be found. TV station WQAD reports the cat was a stray that local people had been feeding. See the video below for a WQAD report on the story.

http://www.examiner.com/x-7520-Chicago-Crime-Examiner~y2010m4d7-Video-Cat-beaten-and-nailed-to-utility-pole-shows-improvement-but-survival-not-certain

GENESCO, Ill. - A cat found hanging from a utility pole in rural Geneseo on Monday is said to be improving and is expected to survive, officials said. He's also got a place to call home after he recovers.

Representatives at a veterinarian's office in Atkinson, where the cat is being cared for, said Wednesday his eyes are much brighter Wednesday morning and he appears more active and even meowing more.

At this point, the cat doesn't have much of an appetite, but that is not a big concern right now considering what he has been through. The representatives also said that he has been adopted.

There is no word yet on possible suspects in the incident.

http://www.wqad.com/news/wqad-animal-abuse-case-update-040710,0,7687327.story

Links have donation info.

Monsters! I hope they catch them before they injure another animal or person.

[joeybee12]

1. There are some sick a**holes out there...I pray they get that person (s)

What kind of warped mind does this?

[Mari333]

2. this is when I get so mad I see red.

and have nothing but anger and contempt. I completely lose it. I cannot fathom why anyone would do this. It is beyond my understanding. beyond it. I would kill someone with my bare hands if I saw them doing this.

[jtuck004]

3. Communities should put some police effort behind this...

I know animal control often handles these, but police departments often have better resources that can be brought to bear. Because today it is a cat or dog, tomorrow might be you or your kid.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruelty_to_animals

"he FBI has found that a history of cruelty to animals is one of the traits that regularly appears in its computer records of serial rapists and murderers"

There are other studies that seem to support this...

[Berry Cool]

6. Oh, yeah. Jeffrey Dahmer got started that way.

They first discover the headiness of power over other living, feeling creatures by abusing animals. Then that's no longer enough and they move on to people.

If you stop them when they're still on animals, there's half a chance of preventing them from getting to the abusing-people stage.

[ThatsMyBarack]

4. Dutch got adopted? Yeah!!

:woohoo: I always feel better when disturbing kitteh stories like this one have happy endings (for the kitteh, I mean)! :woohoo:

Edited to add: He's gorgeous! :loveya:

[liberalmuse]

5. Can people NOT post this shit so it shows on 'The Latest'?

Good lord - what is it with some DUers wanting to share stories of horrific animal abuse and child/baby rape within the headline? Can't there be a 'special' forum for this kind of shit so you don't have it blaring at you when you log onto DU? Or at least a warning rather than telling the tale in the headline? Christ almighty.

[RamboLiberal]

8. Do you write the same complaints to your newspaper & news web sites?

And TV News? It's a cruel world sorry to tell you. Besides this poor cat there are at least 25 miners dead and hundreds killed in other parts of the world.

BTW when I found the story the cat would survive I did change the headline I posted from a news website to show that.

[ret5hd]

12. Got just the ticket fort ya!:

http://www.happynews.com/

[Bryn]

7. I am so happy he's going to be all right.

I hope they catch whoever did that to him, too.

[Echo In Light]

10. Will take a special person who can offer much TLC before that kitter will trust anyone

[ellie]

9. I hope the person or persons who

did this get what they deserve. In spades.

[kestrel91316]

11. I'm always afraid to open up and read these posts. Glad to hear Dutch-kitty

is doing well.

People can be such asswipes. Makes me wanna HURL.

[Blue Owl]

13. I am just sickened by such cruelty

May the miserable fuck(s) who committed this atrocity soon reap the karmic horror they have inflicted on that poor kitty. Someone, get Dexter on the case!

Let's hope his new family gives Dutch lots of love.