Pet cat reportedly shot, killed with arrow
Pittsburgh police Officer Christine Luffey will be “knocking on every door” on Elmbank Street in Brookline on Tuesday to investigate the death Saturday afternoon of a pet cat that was reportedly shot with an arrow.
“I’m sure someone saw something,” Officer Luffey said Monday.
Brookline resident Nathan Orr and his fiancee, Kearston Knapp, said they heard what sounded like an animal in pain about 4 p.m. Saturday. They opened the front door and found their pet cat, Ollie, with a target arrow through its body.
“My kids went to the window and saw it as well,” Mr. Orr, 22, said. “Whoever did this, they’ve completely traumatized my kids for God knows how long. That was their first family pet. They haven’t stopped talking about it.”
The family has two children, ages 3 and 6.
Mr. Orr and Ms. Kearston said they rushed the 2-year-old cat to the VCA Castle Shannon Animal Hospital; she drove while Mr. Orr held the cat still.
“It was a miracle we even got him to the vet,” he said. “But when they took X-rays, we knew it was a lost cause. [The arrow] had pierced both his lungs.” The cat had to be euthanized. On Saturday night, Mr. Orr posted his cat’s story on Facebook.
By Sunday morning, a
Pittsburgh police officer who saw the post texted Officer Luffey, who investigates animal cruelty crimes. She urged the couple to report it, and Mr. Orr and Ms. Kearston filed a police report Sunday with officers at the Zone 3 station in Allentown.
By Monday afternoon, Mr. Orr’s Facebook post had been shared 563 times.
Officer Luffey said she wants to find the person who committed the “cruel and senseless act.”
She’s asking the public to call 9-1-1 or her direct dial number at 412-488-8425 with any information.
While Mr. Orr said his cat had accidentally gotten outside over the weekend, Officer Luffey warned that “human cruelty” is a danger for outdoor cats, along with getting struck by vehicles, being attacked by other animals and contracting diseases.
“I urge any cat owner to please, please, please keep your cat indoors,” she said.