Public asked to help catch cat shooter

The Seattle Animal Shelter is asking for the public's help finding someone who shot a family cat in North Seattle Thursday night.

The cat was shot in the mouth in the 1300 block of North 121st Street at about 9 p.m., the shelter reported. One of the cat's owners reported hearing a loud bang and when they went to let the cat in the house for the evening they found it was limping and had blood around its mouth.

It was taken to Emerald City Emergency Veterinary Hospital, where it will undergo surgery Monday.

The cat is in critical condition.

"This is a tragic and unfortunate incident and we hope we can find the person or persons responsible," animal shelter director Don Jordan said in a news release. "If this was an act of children or young teens, it concerns me because studies have shown that children who abuse animals often grow up and commit other serious crimes such as domestic violence, child abuse or even murder."

The Humane Society of the United States is offering $2,500 for information resulting in the arrest and conviction of the people involved.

In addition, Pasado's Safe Haven is offering a $5,000 reward and they've offered to pay for the cat's surgery bills, Susan Michaels, co-founder of the organization, said.

Pasado's has posted more information about the incident on their Web site at http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/HOMEPAGE/10_13WEBSITE/DAISYMAE/DaistMae.htm.

Animal cruelty can result in a $5,000 fine, a year in prison or both.

Brian Alexander: 206-464-2026 or balexander@seattletimes.com