KAILUA-KONA — An anonymous donor upped the reward offer for information about an abused cat to $8,000 to anyone who can help law enforcement arrest and convict the person or people responsible.
The cat, an 8-pound tabby and white male, was found on Dec. 20 along the side of Makala Boulevard near the main entrance to Target in Kailua-Kona. The animal was reported to have had a 2-foot hunting arrow through its body, causing entry and exit wounds.
The animal didn’t have any identification indicating ownership and was later euthanized.
At the beginning of the month, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued a reward offer of up to $5,000 for information leading to the assailant’s arrest and conviction.
A PETA campaigner said they regularly receive calls about reported abuse nationwide and offer rewards when they believe it could incentivize someone to come forward with information.
On Friday, PETA announced in a statement that the award has increased to $8,000 “thanks to a generous donation from a concerned citizen who does not wish to be recognized.”
Roxy O’Neal, Kona shelter manager for the Hawaii Island Humane Society, said they were pleased to see a national organization like PETA step up and offer a reward to find the perpetrator.
She said it also demonstrates that animal abuse is an issue being taken seriously.
However, she said there haven’t been any tips leading to witnesses or furthering the case. She also said there haven’t been any new reports of animal abuse from around the area where the cat was found.
Police said earlier this month that an officer who responded to the scene initiated a cruelty to animals investigation, but that they had no new leads to pursue at the time. They said, however, they would welcome any tips that could lead to the arrest of whomever was responsible.
Anybody with information can call police at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. People can also contact the Hawaii Island Humane Society at 329-1175.
The Humane Society also offers free spaying and neutering as well as trap rentals for people to catch feral cats to bring to the Humane Society for spaying or neutering.
PETA is also offering a separate reward of up to $5,000 in the case of another cat who was injured with an arrow on Oahu.
In that case, a cat was found with an arrow through its shoulder blade, according to a report by KHON.
The news station reported that police are investigating the case as first-degree animal cruelty and that the cat, being cared for at the Hawaiian Humane Society, was expected to recover.