Cat-killer cop could face charges as DA investigates shooting
- 8 years ago
NORTH CATASAUQUA, PENNSYLVANIA — There are plenty of people who dislike cats, but you’re not allowed to shoot them, even if you’re a cop. A police officer in the aptly named Pennsylvania town of North Catasauqua, responded to a call in early December 2015. The caller told police a lost cat was in his backyard and requested assistance after failing to capture the animal himself.
Officer Leighton Pursell then arrived at the home and reportedly immediately told the homeowner, “it may not be politically correct, if it’s wounded, I’m going to have to put it down.” The officer and the homeowner then went to the backyard where the cat was hiding under a barbecue grill.
After the cat reportedly hissed at the officer, Pursell allegedly shot and killed it. The orange tabby was no stray, however, Sugar was the darling companion of Crystal and Tom Newhart, who lived five doors down.
The Newhart’s had been searching for Sugar after he bolted out the door that morning, but had no idea their beloved pet was hanging out in a neighbor’s backyard.
After a day of fruitless searching, Tom eventually called North Catasauqua’s non-emergency police hotline and was informed his pet had been shot to death by a police officer.
Adding insult to fatal injury, the officer reportedly also tossed Sugar’s corpse into a trashcan after ‘executing’ it. Pursell says he had to make a judgment call and decided to put the injured animal down.
Tom and Crystal Newhart hired a lawyer and a vet who examined Sugar’s body and determined the animal was not injured in any way — aside from the gaping gunshot wound.
A Facebook page, Justice For Sugar, has been set up while over 2000 people have signed a petition demanding the officer be fired. The Newhart’s lawyer also questioned Pursell’s decision to fire a weapon in a residential neighborhood, at we shouldn’t forget, a cat.
If the district attorney determines the case has legs, officer Pursell will be tried on animal cruelty charges.
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Officer Leighton Pursell then arrived at the home and reportedly immediately told the homeowner, “it may not be politically correct, if it’s wounded, I’m going to have to put it down.” The officer and the homeowner then went to the backyard where the cat was hiding under a barbecue grill.
After the cat reportedly hissed at the officer, Pursell allegedly shot and killed it. The orange tabby was no stray, however, Sugar was the darling companion of Crystal and Tom Newhart, who lived five doors down.
The Newhart’s had been searching for Sugar after he bolted out the door that morning, but had no idea their beloved pet was hanging out in a neighbor’s backyard.
After a day of fruitless searching, Tom eventually called North Catasauqua’s non-emergency police hotline and was informed his pet had been shot to death by a police officer.
Adding insult to fatal injury, the officer reportedly also tossed Sugar’s corpse into a trashcan after ‘executing’ it. Pursell says he had to make a judgment call and decided to put the injured animal down.
Tom and Crystal Newhart hired a lawyer and a vet who examined Sugar’s body and determined the animal was not injured in any way — aside from the gaping gunshot wound.
A Facebook page, Justice For Sugar, has been set up while over 2000 people have signed a petition demanding the officer be fired. The Newhart’s lawyer also questioned Pursell’s decision to fire a weapon in a residential neighborhood, at we shouldn’t forget, a cat.
If the district attorney determines the case has legs, officer Pursell will be tried on animal cruelty charges.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
Get top stories delivered to your inbox everyday: http://bit.ly/tomo-newsletter
Stay connected with us here:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TomoNewsUS
Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS
Google+ http://plus.google.com/+TomoNewsUS/
Instagram @tomonewsus http://instagram.com/tomonewsus