KAILUA-KONA — An anonymous donor increased the reward to $8,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for shooting a cat with an arrow.
The cat, an 8-pound tabby and white male, was found Dec. 20 off Makala Boulevard near the main entrance to Target in Kailua-Kona. The animal was reported to have had a 2-foot hunting arrow through its body.
The animal didn’t have any identification indicating ownership and was later euthanized.
At the beginning of the month, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the assailant’s arrest and conviction.
A PETA campaigner said the organization regularly receives calls about reported abuse nationwide and offers rewards when it thinks it could incentivize someone to come forward with information.
On Friday, PETA announced the award was increased to $8,000 “thanks to a generous donation from a concerned citizen who does not wish to be recognized.”
Roxy O’Neal, Kona shelter manager for the Hawaii Island Humane Society, said her agency was pleased to see a national organization such as PETA step up and offer a reward to find the perpetrator.
She said it also demonstrates that animal abuse is an issue being taken seriously.
However, she said there haven’t been any tips leading to witnesses or furthering the case. She also said there haven’t been any new reports of animal abuse from the area where the cat was found.
Police said earlier this month that an officer who responded to the scene initiated a cruelty to animals investigation, but they had no new leads to pursue. Police welcome any tips.
Anyone with information can call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300. People also can contact HIHS at 329-1175.
PETA is offering a separate reward of up to $5,000 in the case of another cat that was injured with an arrow on Oahu.
In that case, a cat was found with an arrow through its shoulder blade, according to a report by KHON. The TV news station reported that police are investigating the case as first-degree animal cruelty and the cat, being cared for at the Hawaiian Humane Society, is expected to recover.
Email Cameron Miculka at cmiculka@westhawaiitoday.com.
