In a horrific incident in Huber Heights, Ohio, an orange tabby cat was shot and killed by a police officer on April 23. Please join us in calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into the case and the pursuit of charges.
Alley Cat Allies filed an official report on the incident after concerned advocates reached out to us. According to the current police report, Officer Akhmed Mamedov of the Huber Heights Police Division fired his service pistol twice at the cat.
Community members allege that the cat survived initially, fled into the woods, and later died from the injuries. They also claim that law enforcement later disposed of the cat’s body in a dumpster.
If confirmed, the killing of this cat was not only cruel and led to a slow, painful death, but also violated Ohio law.
The officer cited rabies as justification because the cat was drooling. However, it is very rare for cats to contract rabies, and multiple medical conditions can cause these symptoms, including dental disease or injury. Furthermore, several animal advocates were willing and ready to help provide care for this cat. Immediate lethal force was not necessary.
Our team reached out to the mayor and local prosecuting attorney to request an investigation, transparency, and justice. Please join us.
Alley Cat Allies Letter to the Prosecuting Attorney of Huber Heights
Dear Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck Jr.
On behalf of Alley Cat Allies and its supporters in Ohio, I write to respectfully request that your office petition for a thorough investigation into an April 23, 2026, incident in which a cat was shot and killed in a restaurant parking lot by Officer Akhmed Mamedov of the Huber Heights Police Division. We also call for the immediate filing of appropriate criminal charges and pursuit of the maximum penalty.
Alley Cat Allies is the leading advocacy organization with a mission to protect and improve the lives of all cats and kittens. Since our founding in 1990, we have worked in communities large and small to develop humane, evidence-based policies for cats and take strong action, including in court, against incidents of cruelty to cats.
Advocates from Huber Heights reached out to us with disturbing details about this case that warrant an urgent investigation. The police report of the incident states that Officer Mamedov fired his service pistol twice to shoot the cat.
However, community members who sought to help the cat report that the cat survived the shooting, went into the woods, and later died from the injuries.
According to the community members, the officer failed to confirm the cat’s death. Then, law enforcement allegedly only retrieved the cat’s body after community outcry and disposed of it in a dumpster.
If these accounts are accurate, the manner in which the cat was killed is not only cruel, leading to a slow, painful death, but also appears to violate Ohio law. According to Section 959.06 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is unlawful to “destroy any domestic animal” with “any method other than a method that immediately and painlessly renders the domestic animal initially unconscious and subsequently dead.”
The officer utilized a rabies claim to justify his actions because the cat was drooling and “foaming” at the mouth. However, it is very rare for cats to contract rabies, and several medical conditions can cause these symptoms in cats, including dental disease or injury. Furthermore, immediate gunshot and disposing of a cat’s body in a dumpster is not a sensible protocol for suspected rabies.
Several animal welfare advocates said they were willing and ready to help the cat. Organizations, including Alley Cat Allies, would also have stepped in if contacted for support. Instead, the cat was killed before anyone could provide potential medical care that could have saved a life.
We again respectfully request that your office demand an investigation and pursue charges and a maximum penalty. The cat who was killed deserves justice, and the community of Huber Heights, which has expressed dismay and anger on behalf of the cat, deserves transparency. Please affirm Huber Heights’ commitment to protecting animals from unlawful abuse and death.
Alley Cat Allies offers support in bringing this case to a conclusion that achieves that transparency and justice.