SPCA searches for suspect after cat thrown from car on Highway 101 near Prunedale
UPDATE 10/4/2019 1:50 p.m. The Monterey County SPCA said it has a suspect after someone threw a cat from a car window while merging onto Highway 101 in Prudedale.
The SPCA did not want to identify the suspect, but said the person has not been arrested. The suspect’s car is described as a gold or silver 2000 Honda sedan.
The cat was hit and killed by another car that tried to swerve out of the way.
PREVIOUS STORY: A horrific act of animal cruelty stopped one driver on Highway 101 near Prunedale, last Friday.
The driver called 911 and told the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office he’d hit and killed a cat that was thrown out the window of the car in front of him.
“That’s just a terrible thing to do. Why would anybody do that,” said Prunedale resident, Tim Work.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said the incident took place off Blackie Road. Deputies said the driver was merging onto Highway 101 South when they launched the cat into moving traffic. The driver who saw it happen tried to swerve out of the way, but couldn’t clear the cat in time.
“Choosing to willfully abandon an animal, and choosing to do it in such a cruel and inhumane way, where there’s no chance the animal could survive, and in fact would suffer, is unfathomable,” said Beth Brookhouser with the Monterey County SPCA.
The Monterey County SPCA has taken over the case. Their team investigates over 950 cases of animal abuse and neglect in the county each year. Cases this tragic, are often the most difficult to face. “We’re hopeful that we can catch the person responsible, and with the District Attorney’s Office’s help, bring full prosecution,” said Brookhouser.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect was driving a gold or silver 2000 Honda Sedan. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Monterey County SPCA at 831-373-2631, or submit a form online.
The SPCA offers services to those who are no longer able to care for their pet(s).
KION 2019
