Justice for Family Cat, Sugar, Allegedly Shot by a North Catasauqua Police Officer
- by: Susan V
- recipient: North Catasauqua Police Chief Kim Moyer and Northampton County District Attorney John M. Morganelli
A six-year-old cat named Sugar got out of her Pennsylvania home and ended up resting near a neighbor’s pool. And for that alone, say reports, this harmless cat was shot in the neck and killed by a North Catasauqua police officer.
The neighbor, Mike Lienert, told news sources, including WFMZ, that he called police because he thought Sugar might be injured. But when officers came to the door, Leinart told reporters, one said that “it's not politically correct, but if injured we will put it down." The officer did exactly that, said Leinart, apparently only because Sugar hissed a bit after she was poked. Then, added Leinart, the officer told him “he’d have to clean up the mess.”
Aferward Officer Leighton Pursell, named by another source, reportedly threw Sugar in a dumpster, where she was later retrieved by her owner, Tom Newhart, who had an autopsy performed. That report showed no injury other than the bullet wound.
American News X says the Newharts had adopted Sugar as a kitten and nursed her with a bottle until she could eat solid food, and they “are outraged at the Police department's nonchalant response." Morning Call confirms calls to the North Catasauqua police department have not been returned.
Reports say only that an investigation is underway and that policy doesn't allow shooting an animal unless it threatens someone’s safety. An attorney for the Newharts told The Morning Call that Sugar “was not a danger to Officer Pursell or the public at large," and "There is absolutely no justification for this shooting."
Sign this petition to insist that if the investigation shows news reports to be accurate, this officer is fired and prosecuted for what can only be considered a crime of animal cruelty.
To the North Catasauqua Police Chief Kim Moyer and Northampton County District Attorney John M. Morganelli:
It is understandable that so many people are outraged by the news of what appears to be a cruel and unjusitified shooting of a harmless, beloved family cat.
If the investigation reveals that news reports on the killing of Sugar are accurate, then Officer Pursell has not only violated department policy, he has committed a crime of animal cruelty.
The Morning Call reports contents of a letter it says Newhart’s attorney sent authorities stating that Newhart was told by Chief Moyers that Officer Pursell had “’made a judgment call’ to put down the animal because he was injured.” However, the evidence seems very clear that the only injury suffered by Sugar was the bullet from Pursell’s gun. Furthermore, even if the cat had been injured, executing a cat is no way to “put down” an injured animal, nor would an injury necessarily warrant an animal being put down.
We, the undersigned, therefore insist, should the reports prove accurate, this officer be fired and prosecuted for animal cruelty. Furthermore, Sugar’s family, the Newharts, should received a formal apology and monetary compensation from the department.
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