Alley Cat Allies stands against cruelty to cats in whatever form it takes. And we don’t back down until justice is served.
We provide expert support to the prosecution of cruelty cases, issue rewards to help convict cruelty perpetrators, support cats who are victims of cruelty with critical veterinary care, and educate communities on how to address, report, and prosecute acts of cruelty to cats.
Here are just five updates on cruelty cases where we took a stand—and won.
An Update on the Case of Shadow, Shot with a Dart
Last month, Jacob Cushingham, who viciously shot Shadow the cat in the eye with a blow dart in Rowlett, Texas, was convicted of third-degree animal cruelty. He was sentenced to 2 years’ probation and was fined.
Alley Cat Allies helped cover the cost of Shadow’s surgery to remove his injured eye, which could not be salvaged after damage from the dart. But Shadow is a survivor, even if he never should have had to be. He has since healed and been adopted!
We also issued a reward for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. We are heartened to see a penalty enacted on Shadow’s behalf, but we are fighting for stronger punishments for acts of cruelty. Sentencing for animal cruelty must fit the horrific nature of the crime.
Ryan Berlanga Trial Slated for May 12
Thanks to Alley Cat Allies’ reward for an arrest and conviction in the case of a kitten strangled to death in San Antonio, Texas, Ryan Berlanga was pressured to turn himself in. The man now faces felony animal cruelty charges.
If convicted, Berlanga could be sentenced to anywhere from 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. He could also face a permanent ban on owning animals.
Alley Cat Allies is advocating for the highest version of the penalty, for the sake of cats throughout San Antonio. We will be watching the May 12 trial, and we have offered our support to the prosecution in the case.
For Igor the Kitten, We Changed Ohio
When Igor, an 8-month-old kitten, was found immobile and terrified in a pool of bleach, Cleveland, Ohio, resident Alonzo Kyles was arrested for the crime. Though he was convicted of felony animal cruelty, the decision was overturned by an appellate court. Their claim: there was no evidence Igor was owned, which meant committing an act of cruelty against him was not a felony.
Alley Cat Allies filed an amicus brief in the case, asking the Ohio Supreme Court to equally protect all cats under state cruelty laws. We won. The Supreme Court reversed the appellate court’s decision, ruling that anyone who harms a cat—whether an owned or community cat—can be convicted with felony charges under Ohio’s companion animal cruelty law.
This ruling affects the entire state of Ohio and will save countless cats’ lives! We are proud and thrilled to have been a part of the groundbreaking change.
Alonzo Kyles was sentenced to nine months in prison for hurting Igor and has a permanent ban on owning animals.
A Kitten Killer in Florida Was Convicted of Felony Cruelty
After his arrest for violently throwing a kitten to the ground and killing her, Alfonso Perez Nas was convicted of third-degree animal cruelty in Fort Myers, Florida. His sentence: 180 days in jail, four years of probation, and a fine.
Alley Cat Allies sent a letter to the prosecutor in the case, calling for the strongest possible sentence. We are glad that jail time was enforced.
Note: The kitten pictured above is NOT the victim of cruelty.
An Arkansas Priest Who Killed Cats was Found Guilty
Charles Thessing, a now-suspended priest in Paragould, Arkansas, was arrested for drowning two cats on his property. After Alley Cat Allies reached out to the prosecutor and asked for a strong penalty for this horrifying cruelty, Thessing was found guilty of cruelty to animals.
Thessing faced a $3,000 fine for his heinous actions. Though charges were pursued and a conviction secured, our goal is to strengthen anti-cruelty laws to ensure stronger penalties and dissuade acts of cruelty.
NOTE: The cat pictured is NOT a victim of cruelty.
Help Us Stand Against Cruelty to Cats
Learn how to take swift action when you see or suspect acts of cruelty to cats, and much more, at alleycat.org/AntiCruelty.
We can’t accomplish our critical anti-cruelty work without you. Help us achieve justice and provide medical support for more cats and kittens with a gift today. Visit alleycat.org/Donate.