Ann Arbor, MI (September 13, 2024) — The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) is seeking the public’s help in identifying those responsible for the cruel shooting of a 7-month-old kitten found near the intersection of Carpenter Road and Washtenaw Avenue, close to the Red Lobster in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
The kitten, now named Sugar, has numerous wounds across her face and body and was brought to HSHV by a Good Samaritan. X-rays indicate she’s withstood approximately 35 pellets shot from a BB gun. Sugar has several severe injuries, including on her eyelid, between her eyes and throughout her small frame.
Upon arrival, HSHV’s medical team immediately began treating Sugar and have already removed several BB pellets, including one dangerously close to her left eye and others embedded in her nose and torso. Despite the severity of her assault and injuries, HSHV staff report Sugar is “an incredibly sweet girl who just wants love.”
“Animal cruelty is never acceptable, but this is a particularly sickening case,” said Tanya Hilgendorf, CEO of HSHV. “Someone who would repeatedly shoot a sweet, innocent kitten—one likely trapped somewhere that did not allow for her escape—is clearly a disturbed individual who needs to be stopped. Though the investigation is still underway, evidence suggests she was likely a family pet who was used as target practice. Many studies tell us that those who get satisfaction out of abusing, torturing, or killing animals are also a serious danger to people. We’re asking the community to help us find the person or persons responsible, so that justice can be served, and future harm can be prevented.”
“We are very thankful to the person who brought her to us and now need anyone who may know more to contact us. Sugar needs you to speak for her,” added Hilgendorf.
HSHV urges anyone with information about this incident to come forward. If you know anything about this kitten or saw suspicious activity possibly near the area of Carpenter Road and Washtenaw Avenue, please contact HSHV at (734) 661-3512 or submit a tip online at hshv.org/report. All information will be kept confidential.
Sugar’s care, as well as the care of countless other animals like her, is made possible through donations to HSHV. If you’d like to contribute to her ongoing recovery or to the work HSHV does to protect animals in need, please visit hshv.org/donate.
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About The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV):
The Humane Society of Huron Valley, located in Ann Arbor, is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies solely on the generosity of our supporters to provide critical community programs and services. HSHV is an award-winning organization, recognized for our best practices and highest animal “save-rate” among all similar shelters in Michigan. Charity Navigator, the nation’s top charity evaluator, awarded HSHV a 4-star ranking, the highest possible. The mission of HSHV is to promote the loving, responsible care of all animals in our community. HSHV is not affiliated with any other humane organization and does not receive funding from the United Way. More information can be found on HSHV’s website (hshv.org) and on our annual report (hshv.org/annualreport).