Man Kills and Is Getting Away with it

Update 12/1/08 - Grand jury indicted.  Now waiting for trial!

On July 12, 2008, a neighbor whose name is not known (but address is)and believed to be between 18 and 21 years old, used an air-pumped BB gun to shoot a neighborhood cat in Travis county.  This attack was witnessed by the neighbor who had been feeding and caring for this cat for nearly a year.  He saw the young man chase the cat, whom he had named 'Big Boy,' into a sewer.  Then he watched, helpless, as this young man stuck his BB gun into the sewer and fired.

The caregiver, who had become emotionally attached to Big Boy, was unable to run to his aid or try to retrieve him from the sewer hole due to his own physical disabilities.

When an animal control officer arrived on the scene, he referred the witness to the sheriff's office.  But the witness alleges that the spokesperson at that office claimed, there is no law that prevents landowners from shooting cats if the cats do damage to their property.  Another animal control officer, in clarifying this ordinance, said the reference is for 'actual' damage (e.g., sheep being attacked by coyotes), and not simply because a cat is 'fertilizing' the grass.

Unable to see or reach Big Boy himself, the distraught caregiver contacted the Humane Society once Big Boy made it back home.  Now five days later, Big Boy was secured by a rescue volunteer, who noted that the cat was extremely weak and in obvious pain.  Big Boy was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that the tissue was necrotic from the hind end to mid abdomen and the cat was completely septic.  The damage to his overall health was so severe, the only humane alternative was to end the cat's suffering.  Big Boy was gently euthanized. 

The cat's guardian is heartbroken.  In his words: '...on the fifth day...it was as if he was begging for me to help him, with the way he was meowing.  I will never forget this meow as long as I live.'

This cruel and senseless shooting occurred on July 12, 2008.  Detective Raymond Lopez with Austin Animal Control, is currently 'checking into this' (reference #126093).  He claims to be waiting on the district attorney's office to make a decision.

Everyone involved is waiting for legal action. And the caregiver waits for justice.

Please contact the County Commissioner's Court, http://www.co.travis.tx.us/commissioners_court, and request justice for Big Boy.  Remind them that domesticated animals including any stray or feral cat or dog are included under Texas Penal Code § 42.092 (see attachment).  Torturing, killing, poisoning or causing bodily injury to these animals on first offense carries a fine of as much as $10,000 and up to two years in jail.