Cat left in pond rescued

SHARON — A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who who put a backpack containing a cat into a pond on Saturday.

“She is alive and fine thanks to her rescuers, who pulled the backpack out of the water some 20 yards from the boat launch,”

Sharon Animal Control posted on its Facebook page.

Officials said the young, black, spayed female cat (with no microchip), was found in Mudge Pond inside the backpack, secured with a black rubber bungee. The reward is being pledged by Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates, a group of volunteers who work together to better the lives of animals in Connecticut.

Sharon Animal Control said it is sharing the information in the Northwest Corner and nearby New York state.

“Someone out there needs serious help to have performed this act of animal cruelty” the Sharon Animal Control Facebook post said. “There is no

helpful evidence, although the police have been contacted. You are the only ones who can help. Please let

Sharon Animal Control know if you recognize the cat or the backpack (it has a handle and wheels). Call 860-488-6476 if you have information.”

The post continued, “Also, please, no more calls about adopting this little girl. Legally, I need to try to find her owner (who isn’t necessarily the person who did this), and I already have a list of interested people when and if she is up for adoption. That said, she will be adopted by one of her rescuers if the owner is not found.”

State Police are also investigating the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Trooper Christopher Sorrell at Troop B at 860626-1820.

Sharon Animal Control photos The cat that officials say was saved Saturday. Authorities are trying to find out who tried to drown the animal in Mudge Pond.