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Animal officials and pet lovers suspect a serial animal abuser is operating in the Lower Dimond area of Oakland, with cats being shot with a pellet gun.
Oakland Animal Services is seeking information from anyone who may know who is involved, and Friends of OAS is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter.
In the past five weeks, Oakland Animal Services has taken in four stray cats with severe injuries from a pellet gun. All four came from the area within a two-mile radius of the Lower Dimond neighborhood.
The injuries on these cats appear to be related and to have come from the same type of
weapon. OAS was able to care for three of the cats, which have been named Frankie,
Percy and Morgan. The fourth cat was injured so badly that he had to be euthanized.
“Violence against animals is one of the strongest indicators for other crimes and violent acts,” said OAS Director Rebecca Katz. “The cruelty of these acts is of concern to both the human and nonhuman members of Oakland’s community.
Anyone having information about cat shooting is asked to contact Oakland Animal Services at 510-535-4895. Anonymous tips also will be accepted.
OAS encourages residents to be vigilant with their own pets and to assist the community by reporting suspected animal abuse. Together, Katz said, we can protect more animals in need and prevent more tragedies from occurring.
Donations to the reward fund can be made at oaklandsanimals.org or through crowdrise.com/justice-for-cats.
