Cat with Cancer was Rotting to Death - Owner Pleads Guilty

Misty was dying of cancer. She had a large open wound on her neck and was literally rotting to death.

But 47-year-old Raymond Lewis Power, of Edmonton, Canada says he “loved” his cat so much, he didn’t want to have her euthanized—despite the horrific agony she was obviously in.

What a callous and stupid man.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Some people have no business owning animals or having children.

According to media reports of the trial, in May 2005, Mr. Power took his 18- or 19-year-old cat Misty to the vet, because she had an open wound on her neck (about the size of a quarter). Mr. Power was told she likely had cancer, and to return with Misty if her wound didn’t heal.

But Mr. Power did not return, even though, by March 2006 “the open wound was the size of a fist, the cat’s trachea was exposed and rotting” and was emitting a nasty odour.

Finally, Mr. Power took Misty to the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) and left her there to be euthanized.

Because of Misty’s “huge open wound,” which had obviously been festering for quite some time, the EHS called in animal abuse investigators.

During his trial, Mr. Power denied knowing that his cat had been suffering. But, after being shown photos of her rotting wound, he changed his story.

Mr. Power pleaded guilty to “causing or permitting distress to an animal” and…
- was fined $500 under the Animal Protection Act;
- was put on probation for one year;
- is required to perform 40 hours of community service;
- must seek treatment and counselling; and
- is banned from having any pets for five years.

The judge recommended that Mr. Power’s community service be with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and said…

… it is important to prosecute and punish pet abusers because the animals cannot communicate or get themselves help, and therefore they need protection.”

No kidding.

[story source: cnews; cat poster from allposters.com]