Family Cat In Lake Carmel Dies Six Days After Shooting

LAKE CARMEL, NY — Someone shot a cat named Sheldon in Lake Carmel on Sept. 12. Despite attempts by his family and veterinarians to save his life, he died Sept. 17.

Sheldon was shot in the mouth. The bullet broke through the upper palate and fragments lodged in the skull and in the throat, one making its way into his stomach.

Due to the fragmentation of the bullet, identifying the type of round used is currently difficult, Putnam County SPCA officials said.

The Putnam County SPCA Law Enforcement Division is investigating this act as aggravated animal cruelty, which is a felony. A $1,000 reward has been offered by several anonymous donors, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever was responsible.

"The fact that separate anonymous donors have come forward on their own shows the public outrage towards a crime like this," said SPCA Chief Ken Ross.

Anyone with information as to who might have committed this act is asked to please contact the Putnam County SPCA's 24-hour hotline at 845-520-6915. Calls remain anonymous. The Putnam County SPCA asks that this number be used only to contact them with tips regarding this criminal investigation or reporting additional cases of suspected animal cruelty.