In Tennessee, authorities have charged three individuals after allegations surfaced that stray cats were shot with blow darts near a gas station. This cruel act resulted in multiple fatalities, and one cat was found barely surviving with serious injuries close to her spine and aorta.
Darlene Hooper was apprehended on Tuesday, facing three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, categorized as Class E felonies, along with two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, as reported by WSMV 4.
Additionally, two juveniles have also been charged with similar animal cruelty offenses in the Houston County Juvenile Court.
The incidents occurred in Erin, where Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue received reports about a deceased cat and an injured kitten at the Honeysuckle Exxon gas station.
A rescue volunteer later discovered more deceased cats hit by blow darts, according to the same news outlet.
Police managed to find a blow dart gun along with a stash of darts believed to have been used in these attacks.
One of the cats, named Xena, was found in a dire state, staggering around with a dart embedded in her torso.
A surgeon revealed that the injury was alarmingly close to being fatal. “If it were just one millimeter higher, it would have severed her spine, and one millimeter lower would have hit her aorta,” the surgeon explained to WSMV 4.
Xena underwent a CT scan and an emergency surgery, later making an appearance in a full-body cast as she was discharged from the care.
The Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue has indicated that the emergency care for Xena could exceed $10,000, prompting them to seek donations.
The rescue initially indicated that around 25 to 30 cats had been residing in the woods behind the gas station, coming down for food, but only nine cats are now confirmed to be alive.
Furthermore, the organization noted that some cats might have faced similar fates, with reports of fur being skinned from some of them.
To encourage information leading to an arrest, a $1,000 reward has been offered by the organization.
