Reward increased in cat abuse case

TAMPA - A man from Bradenton was so outraged when he heard about a horrible case of animal abuse against a cat that he's decided to offer an award for an arrest.

Police say someone shot the cat 30 times with a pellet gun and dumped it in McKay Bay, inside a carrier labeled "Kitty Penitentiary," to drown.

But she was rescued.

The owner of Discount Battery in Bradenton announced Thursday that he was offering a $500 dollar reward for information leading to an arrest.

That's in addition to a reward that the Humane Society is offering, bringing the total to $1,000 and growing, which the Humane Society says is in part to tax-deductible contributions from the community.

The cat is recovering. Veterinarians have named her Lovey. They say the pellets will stay inside her for now, but she is on antibiotics and pain medication to ward off infection.

Lovey will go into a foster home after she recovers. Animal Services is not planning on offering the cat for adoption due to the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at Hillsborough County Animal Services by calling (813) 744-5660.