The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, in Montgomery County, Indiana, reports a 19-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after officials found a cat that had been tied up, covered in gasoline and set on fire.
“Why would somebody hurt animals to begin with?” said Ethan York, who found the cat along with his friend, retired firefighter Steven Wright. They were watching TV and saw a bright flame across the cornfields. The cat had been saturated in gasoline, hog tied and set on fire with a firecracker. York and Wright immediately called animal control, who took the cat (who was lucky to be alive) to Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County.
That’s when Director Misha Anderson made a deal with the injured kitty. She told her:
“If you make until morning, we’ll fight the fight with you.”
Animal Welfare League posted about the injured cat on their Facebook page asking for information.
Reaching out for the community’s help . Last night this girl was tied up with rope covered in gas and set of fire. She is fighting for her life as we speak . Here’s how you can help. There were witnesses to this horrible act . We are looking for someone that drives a smaller suv type vehicle silver in color but has front end fenders that are very dark may be black . We also will be starting to raise funds to cover her icu stay
Noah Riley, age 19, saw posts about the cat on social media, and decided to come forward. He admitted to his involvement in the case, and was arrested on two counts of animal cruelty. As of now, Riley is in jail and being held on $1,000 cash bond.
Deputies said another juvenile was also interviewed in connection with the case. If you have any information about this case, you are asked to call Deputy Minor or Deputy Kirby at 765-362-3740.
To help with the cat’s medical bills, people can donate money to the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County or donate on their website at www.mcawl.com.
UPDATE: The cat, nicknamed Phoenix, has passed away. “It is with a heavy heart and a lot of tears I tell you our baby girl got her wings. Fly high Phoenix,” the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County wrote on Facebook just after 9 p.m. Sunday. Over the weekend, she was stable and then by Sunday night she was in respiratory distress.
Noah Riley is still in jail in connection with the death of Phoenix. Anyone with information or wanting justice for Phoenix, contact:
Joseph Buser County Prosecutor
100 E Main St.
Crawfordsville, IN 47933
phone: 765-364-6470
email: prosecutor@montgomerycounty.in.gov
