A cat killer is on the loose in Los Angeles after multiple alley cats were found dead at the hands of a BB gun, and activists are doing all they can to stop the spree.
PETA has offered a $5,000 reward in hopes of bringing the crimes to a halt, CBS reported.
“The attacks come amid a growing animal abuse epidemic in the area and chronic inaction from local authorities,” said a statement from PETA.
Despite these small animals being hunted, one thing remains unclear: whether law enforcement is actively investigating.
The reward is being offered in the hope that it might lead to information that could help apprehend the suspect and secure a conviction.
Friends of Normie and PETA are raising awareness about a series of attacks on cats near W. 94th Street and Vermont Avenue.
In early March, a volunteer with Friends of Normie told CBS LA that dozens of cats had been shot, with incidents occurring almost weekly. Many of the cats had been abandoned in the area, leaving them vulnerable to harm.
One notable case is Albert, a cat who was shot in the spine with a BB gun. The bullet could not be removed without risking paralysis, so Albert will likely require lifelong pain medication and will always have a limp. After the incident, PETA began working with Friends of Normie to provide him with care.
As part of its “Here Kitty, Kitty” campaign, PETA is urging cat owners to keep their pets indoors to prevent such dangers. The campaign features actor Jaeden Martell, known for It and St. Vincent, portraying multiple “sinister” characters who use objects like gasoline, a golf club, a shotgun, and poison.
“It’s past time that local animal control do their jobs and investigate these shootings before more cats end up injured or dead,” said PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange. “PETA urges everyone to always keep their cats indoors, report abuse and neglect when they see it, and never walk away from an animal who is in danger or distress.”
