Target: Robert Love, District Attorney, Randall County, Texas
Goal: Pursue the maximum lawful penalties, restitution, and a long-term ban on animal ownership for the individual who allegedly killed a cat by shooting a blow dart into its skull.
Canyon authorities reportedly discovered a cat with a blow dart embedded several inches into its skull; the animal did not survive. According to local reports, two additional incidents of cats being shot with blow darts in the same area were also received by Animal Control. Police subsequently arrested a 19-year-old suspect on animal-cruelty charges in connection with the case. These accounts describe an act so deliberate and painful that it has shocked residents and animal advocates alike.
Charging documents and agency statements indicate the cat was located days after the first report, and that investigators then connected the case to other, similar reports in the neighborhood. The cruelty described—projectiles fired into small companion animals—allegedly caused catastrophic injuries and a prolonged, traumatic death. Such conduct, if proven in court, warrants a firm response to protect the community and deter future abuse.
Animal cruelty has been repeatedly linked in research to broader risks of violence. When pets are reportedly with intentional, agonizing harm, consequences should reflect the seriousness of the offense. Prosecutors should seek the strongest penalties permitted by law, require mental-health evaluation and treatment where appropriate, mandate restitution for veterinary and shelter costs, and secure a lengthy prohibition on possessing or living with animals. These steps help safeguard both animals and people. We therefore urge vigorous prosecution and sentencing that prioritizes accountability and prevention.
PETITION LETTER:
District Attorney Love,
Reports from Canyon describe a cat found with a blow dart embedded several inches into its skull; the animal did not survive. Animal Control also reportedly received two additional complaints of similar blow-dart attacks in the same area. Police have announced the arrest of a 19-year-old on animal-cruelty charges tied to this investigation. If these allegations are proven, they depict intentional, extreme suffering and a grave threat to community safety.
This case calls for a strong, public-safety-focused response. We respectfully ask your office to pursue the maximum lawful penalties, seek restitution for veterinary and shelter costs, and request conditions that protect the public and animals— including a lengthy animal-ownership ban, no-contact orders with animals, and mandatory mental-health evaluation and any recommended treatment. Where permissible, please also seek community-service requirements related to animal-welfare education.
Intentional cruelty of the kind reportedly involved here inflicts terror and pain and undermines community trust. A firm outcome can deter future offenses and affirm that such acts will not be tolerated. We urge you to advocate for justice and meaningful safeguards in this case.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Lisa Zins
