LINCOLNTON, GEORGIA—Alley Cat Allies, the leader of the global movement to protect cats and kittens, filed a landmark lawsuit against the City of Lincolnton and Mayor Mike McCombs for unlawful use of municipal authority in permitting a private citizen, Mayor McCombs’ wife, Lizzy Long, to shoot and kill a cat with a shotgun.
Based on reported cases*, this is the first complaint filed against a government official for exceeding their legal authority in a manner that resulted in animal cruelty.
The cat killed was identified as Piper by a Department of Agriculture criminal investigator. The incident was captured on police body camera footage, which shows that Piper was not immediately killed by the gunshot and suffered in extreme distress.
Although a warrant was issued for Long’s arrest for animal cruelty, it was recalled the same day.
“Mayor McCombs and the City of Lincolnton must answer for the heinous act of cruelty to Piper and their abuse of authority in this case,” said Coryn Julien, program communications officer at Alley Cat Allies. “Alley Cat Allies will not stop until Piper receives justice and anyone who commits cruel, unlawful acts against animals faces consequences that reflect the severity of their crimes. Public officials and their friends and family are not above the law.”
In April of 2026, Mayor McCombs instructed Lincolnton Police Officer Jason Shelton to go to the property of Piper’s owner, Tommy Lee, and kill the cat with his department-issued firearm. Officer Shelton lawfully refused. Mayor McCombs then told the officer to “go to the house and give the cat owner [his] gun and let him shoot the cat.” Officer Shelton refused again, citing “incredible liability” for the city if he handed his weapon to a civilian.
Mayor McCombs then ordered Officer Shelton to go to Lee’s property. While the officer was on the scene, Mayor McCombs arrived with Long, who had a shotgun in hand. On Officer Shelton’s body camera footage, Mayor McCombs can be heard saying, “Lizzy’s right there. She can shoot it.”
Long approached and shot Piper, who was cowering behind a garage. Neither Mayor McCombs, Officer Shelton, nor Piper’s owner took any action to stop Long. Piper screamed and rolled around on the ground in severe pain for a period of time before succumbing to the wound.
Alley Cat Allies filed its lawsuit “to prevent the continued ultra vires exercise, authorization, and/or delegation of governmental animal control authority to private individuals who are not legally authorized under Georgia law to exercise such authority.”
Before filing suit, Alley Cat Allies contacted the City of Lincolnton and led a campaign demanding the arrest and prosecution of Long for cruelty to animals, as well as the removal of Mayor McCombs from office.
To date, no criminal charges have been filed against Long or Mayor McCombs for Piper’s shooting. Further, there is no indication that the City of Lincolnton has taken any disciplinary action or steps to stop similar acts in the future. In body camera footage, Long can be heard saying in relation to being asked to shoot a cat, “Well, they all…I’ve done this. They’ve called me all the time,” indicating that Piper is not the first animal she has killed.
Alley Cat Allies’ landmark lawsuit aims to compel the City to take responsibility for and prevent further illegal conduct.
Find the full complaint and police body camera footage of the shooting.
*There are no cases reported to Westlaw alleging ultra vires claims against a government official that resulted in acts of animal cruelty.
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About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies believes every cat deserves to live out his or her life to the fullest.
Founded in 1990, Alley Cat Allies is the leading advocacy organization for cats with a mission to transform and develop communities to protect and improve the lives of all cats and kittens. Together with our over 1.8 million supporters, we work toward a world where cats are valued, and every community has humane and effective programs and policies to defend them.
Through our fearless advocacy, humane care, education and outreach, and law and policy activism, we equip and mobilize citizens, advocates, grassroots groups, shelters, veterinary professionals, and elected officials across the United States and around the world to improve their communities for cats through nonlethal, evidence-based approaches.
Our website is www.alleycat.org. Charlene Pedrolie is the president and chief operating officer of Alley Cat Allies.