A black cat came home on the evening of Oct. 4 with its fur shaved off and severe burns covering its body, and now the Madison County Sheriff's Office wants to know who is responsible. Deputies say the incident allegedly happened near the 2700 block of Old U.S. Highway 25, and they are actively investigating it as a case of animal abuse.
The Madison County Sheriff's Office confirmed the investigation is underway, according to wnky.com. The outlet reports the cat returned home that Sunday evening with its “fur shaved and severe burns,” and that deputies believe the incident occurred in the area of the 2700 block of Old U.S. Highway 25.
What Deputies Are Asking the Public
Investigators have not named a suspect or explained how the cat sustained its injuries. Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward, and the sheriff's office has requested that tips be sent directly to Deputy Taylor Danner, a deputy with the Madison County Sheriff's Office, at [email protected], per the same account from wnky.com.
The case has also drawn coverage from FOX 56 News, which likewise reported that the Madison County Sheriff's Office launched the animal cruelty investigation after the cat turned up shaved and burned, and that the office is directing tips to Deputy Danner.
What Kentucky Law Says About Animal Torture
While no charges have been filed and no suspect has been identified, Kentucky law does lay out how torture of a dog or cat is classified under state statute. According to the Kentucky General Assembly, torture of a dog or cat is classified as a Class D felony under state law. The statute does not determine the outcome of this specific case, and investigators have not said whether any charge will ultimately be filed in connection with the Madison County incident.
For now, the central questions in the case remain open. Investigators have not disclosed how the cat was burned, who may have shaved its fur, or the animal's current condition. Anyone with information about what happened near Old U.S. Highway 25 is urged to reach out to the Madison County Sheriff's Office through Deputy Danner.
