$1K reward for information on cat shot with arrow

A cat is recovering Tuesday after surgery to remove a crossbow arrow shot through its body and a reward is being offered for information about the incident, according to the Lansing humane society providing treatment.

“We’re not out of the woods but he’s awake,” said Julia Wilson, president and CEO of the Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS). “We’re optimistic. He made it through the night, and he looks pretty good, all things considered.”

Animal control officers responded about 10 a.m. Monday to a home on Carlisle Highway in Kalamo Township, southwest of Lansing, where a resident found the orange-and-white male cat under a deck, the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

“The cat had been shot with a crossbow bolt (arrow), the bolt had a target tip,” sheriff’s officials said. “The owner of the cat has been identified and cannot afford veterinarian care for her pet. The owner last saw her pet on Saturday.”

The humane society is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case, the group announced Tuesday on its Facebook page.

“While we would like to believe that the shooting of this kitty was not intentional, we are unfortunately all too familiar with the fact that acts of cruelty against animals are common,” officials said in the post. “With this in mind, CAHS is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can provide information that will lead to an arrest in this case.”

Tipsters are asked to contact the Eaton County Sheriff Department at (517) 543-3512. The reward is “payable upon arrest and conviction,” humane society officials said.

On Tuesday, the cat was in “serious, but stable condition” and is being treated for pain after undergoing surgery to remove the bolt, according to the humane society.

“But he’s obviously in pain so he’s sort of sedated under pain medication (and) kind of sleepy,” Wilson said earlier Tuesday. “We’re looking at (Tuesday) evening to determine what his prognosis will be.”

Medical care for the cat, nicknamed “Kitty,” will be covered by the humane society’s special care and cruelty fund, Wilson said, adding that the arrow caused extensive damage to the cat’s lungs.

“We’re not sure what the long-term effects will be,” Wilson said of the injuries.

Society officials Monday evening announced the surgery on the group’s Facebook page.

“We are happy to report that Kitty made it through surgery,” officials said in the post. “The arrow has been removed, but the next 24 hours are extremely critical. Kitty is being monitored closely and we are hopeful that he will make a full recovery.”

The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.

“This is still an open and active investigation,” said Theresa Odell, spokeswoman for Sheriff Tom Reich. “We’re talking to all the neighbors and the property owners that adjoin where they did find the cat. We don’t have any new leads or anything but that’s what’s going on.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Eaton County Animal Control at (517) 543-5755 or CAHS at (517) 626-6060. To donate to a “special care/cruetly fund, go here.