Reward Offered by Animal Legal Defense Fund for Information Leading to Arrest/Conviction

“Steph”

A 2-year-old grey and white cat named “Steph” was shot on July 27th, 2016, with a small-game hunting arrow and the Animal Legal Defense Fund is asking for the public’s help in finding the person(s) responsible for this heinous act.   The ALDF is offering $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.  This incident occurred in California.

Last month Steph’s owners discovered him in Rohnert Park’s E-section, bleeding, with a puncture wound in his leg and a foreign object buried in his chest.  It is believed the cat suffered those injuries on Monday, July 25th or Tuesday, July 26th.  Steph was rushed to his veterinarian where an object found lodged in his chest turned out to be a small hunting arrow tip.

Steph is currently receiving treatment after removal of the arrow and is expected to survive.

Under California law, any person convicted of maliciously and intentionally wounding an animal can be imprisoned for up to three years in county jail and/or fined $20,000 for felony animal cruelty.   In California, it is at the district attorney’s discretion whether animal cruelty is charged as a felony.

“This brutal attack on Steph is indicative of violence posing a risk to the community,” said Stephen Wells, executive director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund. “The link between violence to animals and violence to humans is well documented. We are very glad the police are taking this matter seriously, and we offer our full support.”

Studies show that those who intentionally abuse animals are five times more likely to commit crimes of violence against humans.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund urges anyone who has information about this case to come forward and help secure justice for Steph.

If you have information related to this incident, please contact the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety at crimetips@rpcity.org or 707.584.2600. The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety is also accepting anonymous tips in this case at 707.584.COPS (707.584.2677).

Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer and animal advocate.   She hosts the show,  ” A Close-Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.”      Have a story, please email Tina at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.  Like my tv page at https://www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookAtAnimalWelfareIssues and check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com for all the tv shows you may have missed!