Alley Cat Allies Calls For Re-Trial In Galveston Cat-Shooting Case

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 19 Nov 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for stray and feral cats, called for a re-trial of the felony animal-cruelty case of a Galveston, Texas, man accused of shooting and killing a cat.

"We are frustrated that justice was not served today, but we are confident the prosecutor will make the right decision to re-try the case. Intentionally shooting a cat is cruelty," said Wendy Anderson, legal director of Alley Cat Allies, based in Washington, D.C. "While a mistrial is disappointing, it is not unusual - and it does not mean the defendant is innocent of this crime."

"Americans care about outdoor cats and don't want them killed," Anderson said. She noted that a recent Alley Cat Allies survey conducted by Harris found that 81 percent of Americans think it is more humane to allow stray cats to live their natural lives rather than to have them caught and put down. The survey also found that 46 percent of Americans have fed a stray cat at least once as an adult; 22 percent reported doing so in the past year.

"Alley Cat Allies and our supporters will continue to work to ensure that acts of cruelty against cats - stray, feral or pet - will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Anderson said. "Research has long established a relationship between cruelty to animals and other forms of violent behavior. These cases cannot be ignored."

Alley Cat Allies' legal team recently launched an online Anti-Cruelty Resource Center to provide analyses of U.S. laws, public policy, and current events involving cat cruelty, including the Galveston trial. The site is intended to serve as an educational resource for journalists, policymakers, and concerned citizens.

About Alley Cat Allies

The mission of Alley Cat Allies is to protect the lives and promote the wellbeing of stray and feral cats.

http://www.alleycat.org

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