Happy Endings: Sticky the Cat Finds New Home: Arrest Made

Yesterday, some fantastic breaking news widely circulated around the Internet. I do so love happy endings to stories about animal cruelty, and this is one that will "stick" with me for quite a long time as I am sure it will with all animal lovers.

It was just only the other day that I wrote about the beautiful tabby kitty who was so cruelly wrapped in duct tape, and how a rather substantial reward of $2000 was offered for the capture and conviction of the perpetrator of this brutal crime. This story touched a huge number of people and "Sticky" won the hearts of thousands of animal lovers around the country. In fact, PSPCA received $2,075 in donations by people who mentioned "Sticky". This was an amazing response to a kitty in need!

Photo credit: Philly.com While a handful of calls claiming ownership were received, according to Liz Williamson, the spokesperson for The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (PSPCA), none seemed legitimate since no one followed through. Ms.Williamson said, "They were given the opportunity to come in and meet with our officers and prove ownership. Only one person even set up an appointment and that person did not keep the appointment."

However, more than 100 requests were made to adopt the adorable kitty who had endured such a blatant act of torture, and were considered on a first call- first serve basis. A family that wishes to remain anonymous has now provided a forever loving home for "Sticky". This said it is not known if this family will continue to call her Sticky. I do hope that this generous and loving family will ultimately come forward and end the mystery.

To make this good news even better, James Davis, a 19-year-old Philadelphia man, was arrested on suspicion of executing this crime. According to the Associated Press, Davis, if found guilty, will face both a sentence of two years in prison and a minimum fine of $1,000. In commenting about Davis, Ms. Williams said, "He did not have any previous convictions or complaints related to animal cruelty,"

The delicious icing on the cake is PSPCA reported that since the "Sticky" case made such an impact on animal lovers, the number of cats adopted from the shelter rose nearly four-fold over the previous year at this same time. PSPCA staff attributes the increase to the huge amount of publicity that Sticky's case engendered.

It is indeed heartening to know that cruelty to animals is finally being recognized as serious crimes which warrant more than just a slap on the wrist. I am far more optimistic that law enforcement personnel will persist in the arrest and conviction of those who inflict torture on these innocent creatures.

Please share your thoughts about this breaking news, by leaving a comment.