Two Pittsfield Individuals Charged With Dumping Cats
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two people will face animal cruelty charges after more than a dozen cats were dumped on the eve of a snowstorm in Lanesborough and Richmond in January.
Pittsfield residents Kelly Hathaway and Arthur Raney are facing 15 counts of felony cruelty, fines of up to $5,000 and time in jail or prison per each charge, said Deputy Chief Richard LaBlond of the law enforcement division of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals.
LaBlond, speaking at a press conference at the Berkshire Humane Society on Wednesday, said arraignment is on March 18.
"Our thanks go out to Berkshire Humane because of what would have happened to these cats if they didn't have the volunteers and the staff ... It was a freezing and cold night that Friday. There was a blizzard the next day, so we really appreciate them," he said.
The cats, ages ranging from 5 1/5 months to 7 years old, are now in good health. Dr. Yoanna Maitre, a consulting veterinarian for Berkshire Humane Society, said she checked on the cats soon after they came in.
"They actually were overall in reasonably good condition, but they were underweight, and they do have chronic diarrhea ... but overall, I think they're rapidly improving, and they were spared a worse fate because of how quickly they were captured and brought in here."
LaBlond pointed to the work of the public, Lanesborough and State Police investigating and aiding in identifying the suspects. He said there is no known motive for the abandonment of the cats at this time.
"There's no reason, because they had to drive right by this place to drop them off. People do foolish things," he said. "And we're very lucky, in this case, that it all came together. Because with most abandonments, it's very hard to put a case together because there's no information, no witnesses, or nothing like that. In this case, because of the general public, we were able to put something together."
The Humane Society is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the persons involved with the incidents over the weekend.
Investigators interviewed residents along the roadway and looked at camera footage, and say the suspects were caught on video driving to the area where the cats were found clustered in the road.
John Perreault, executive director of Berkshire Humane Society, said there may still be cats missing from the incident.
"We believe, from the video that was provided, that there still two cats left," he said. "Our community cat volunteers and neighbors are still trying to locate and capture a gray cat that has been seen and has been unable to be caught at this time. There's also video of a black cat that hasn't been seen since the night of the video."
In addition to the missing cats, one was found dead that night, one died the following day and 11 are at the shelter.
Perreault said the cats currently being cared for by the shelter can be adopted once they receive a health certificate. He thanked all those involved in rescuing and caring for the cats.
"Some of the heroes that made all this happen stand behind me today," he said. "Because of the collaboration amongst the law enforcement, shelter staff, volunteers and members of this community; because of them, the 11 cats you will be able to meet will be able to find that forever home."
Perrault said its cost thousands of dollars so far to treat the cats.
Joshua Christman, who helped rescue the cats in Richmond by asking for help via Facebook Live at the time, said he was relieved to know that the cats were in good health. He also credited the shelter and law enforcement for their help and even plans on adopting one of the cats, Arlo.
"It feels great. These guys are the heroes. They were out there helping pick up the cats, locate them and the effort throughout the week, not just that night," he said. "It's a good feeling knowing that the ones that are here are alive and well."
Perreault reiterated multiple times during the press conference that there was no reason for this incident to occur because of the resources throughout the county.
"If you're having a problem, or maybe even before the problem starts or gets worse, to the point you may have to surrender, give the shelter a call," he said. "And we can certainly work with you. There are other agencies that, if they would have received a call, might have helped or connected them to us."
Tags: animal cruelty, Berkshire Humane Society, cats,
