On Monday, June 10th, a humane officer in North Ridgeville, Ohio, shot and killed five feral kittens aged eight to ten-weeks-old on the property of the woman who called about them.
The woman who placed the call stated the feral cats had made a wood pile their home and it had been going on for years. She knew the cats were going to be euthanized but did not know that their “euthanization” would take place at her home. Humane Officer Barry Accorti said the shelters were full and the cats would go to “kitty heaven.”
While the woman and her four children were inside their home, Accorti shot each kitten from 15 ft. from the backyard patio as the kids watched.The mother cat ran away and wasn’t caught.
A firestorm of anger has erupted from the actions of this humane officer among animal activists and the general public.
“NRPD recognizes the concerns of those who believe feral cats should not be killed for simply trying to survive but also acknowledges the risks associated with these animals and the need to manage feral cats. Research and other animal organizations accept shooting as an acceptable means of euthanasia,” the North Ridgeville Police Department said.
Police Chief Mike Freeman said that Accorti’s actions were appropriate and he will not be disciplined for the incident. He also said they will work with humane officers about improving communications with the public.
A rally has been planned from Monday evening in North Ridgeville where Alley Cat Allies, the largest cat protection group in the U.S., will be there to protest “this cruel kitten killing.” They will also present signatures they have received from the public at the City Council meeting that evening. They are seeking to get as many signatures as possible by Monday. If you are against what happened to these kittens, you are asked to sign the following petition. Clicking on the picture will take you directly to the petition. 
According to Alley Cat Allies, the killing of these kittens by the humane officer, is a clear act of cruelty in violation of state law. The officer will not be charged with anything.
Alley Cat Allies president, Becky Robinson, wrote a letter (see below) to Mayor G. David Gillock and in it she states, “These brutal killings were not “euthanasia” nor did it resolve a public safety issue. Officers should be educating residents about how to treat animals humanely and coexist peacefully, not shooting kittens in front of children,” “Your Humane Officers clearly need more training. We urge you to issue an immediate order ending all “euthanasia” of cats by Humane Officers in North Ridgeville.”
Alley Cat Allies is offering free training for the city’s Humane Officers on how to humanely handle cats, and on the state animal anti-cruelty law which clearly states that “no person shall knowingly torture, torment, needlessly mutilate or maim, cruelly beat, poison, needlessly kill, or commit an act of cruelty against a companion animal.”
William Gomaa, lead attorney for Alley Cat Allies states “It is shocking that Officer Barry Accorti was cleared of all wrongdoing when he was clearly in violation of the state animal cruelty statute.” “Ohio anti-cruelty law applies to all people, including animal control officers. The definition of ‘companion animal’ explicitly includes ‘any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept,’ and the shooting of five kittens was clearly a ‘needless killing.’”
Alley Cat Allies will be in North Ridgeville Monday, June 17, for a rally protesting this cruel kitten killing and will be presenting signatures from their petition at the City Council meeting that evening. They need as many signatures as possible by Monday. Feel free to add your name and opinion (optional) to the petition. Let your voice be heard if you are against the senseless killing of five kittens by gunshot.
Are the Humane Officer’s actions considered cruelty and justified?
Do you believe in TNR?
The irony is that these kittens could have been easily adoptable. Sadly, they were never given that chance.
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