An account has been established at a local bank and contributions are being accepted for additional reward money for information that helps identify the person or persons who set fire to a cat on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The cat, a domestic shorthair named Rosie, died as a result of the injuries she sustained.
Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $1,000 and another $600 has been deposited into the bank account for information that helps identify the persons who set fire to Rosie.
The account for Rosie was set up at US Bank in Las Cruces.
Shortly after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, an Animal Control officer was dispatched to the report of an injured cat at an apartment complex at 2250 Missouri Ave. Upon arrival, the officer found a white and orange cat with severe burn marks and near death.
The cat was transported to the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley where, because of the severity of her injuries, she was euthanized.
Officers learned that the cat, a domestic shorthair named Rosie, had been missing from her owner’s home since Friday, Oct. 11.
A couple who saw Rosie on fire on the evening of Oct. 15 sprayed water on the cat to extinguish the flames. The couple told Animal Control officers that they heard laughter coming from the direction the cat had run from. The laughter was said to sound like coming from men or boys.
Anyone with information that can help identify the suspect or suspects who injured the cat is asked to contact Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a tip via text message to CRIMES (274637), keyword LCTIPS.
The Crime Stoppers number and text messaging services are operational 24 hours a day and you do not have to give your name to collect a reward.