PENNSYLVANIA – This cat was doused in gasoline, stuffed in a trash bag, and almost crushed by a garbage truck. Thankfully, she is on the road to recovery in Berks County. The cat has since been named ‘Miracle Maisy.’
Maisy was discovered this pastTuesday afternoon by two workers from Harold Adam Refuse Removal on the 500 block of North Front Street in Reading.
The workers were just finishing up their trash collection when they heard meowing come from one of the trash bags already packed and crushed inside the truck.
They discovered the 1-year-old cat in the bag and brought her to The Humane Society of Berks County.
“This is the worst animal cruelty case I’ve ever seen or experienced,” Chelsea Cappellano, who is the Office Coordinator at the HSBC, stated in a statement. “We are so thankful to these men and the trash company for bringing her in. Many people would turn a blind eye in this situation, but they were proactive in getting her the help she needs.”
Cappellano said Maisy was very alert but in rough shape.
“She was so patient as we looked her over for obvious or noticeable injuries,” Cappellano stated.
After an initial intake evaluation, the shelter staff transferred her next door over to Humane Veterinary Hospitals (HVH) Reading for further evaluation and treatment.
According to Dr. Kimya Davani, Veterinarian at HVH Reading, the veterinary staff spent several hours bathing the Maisy and monitoring her vitals.
“The technicians spent all day bathing and drying her,” Dr. Davani stated. “The gas was so embedded in her fur that she wasn’t drying, and because of this, her internal body temperature had dropped. We had to shave most of her body in order to get her temperature up again. She is also very underweight and suffering from skin sensitivity.”
Dr. Davani explains that while there are no visible life-threatening injuries, they are still worried the toxicity of the gasoline has affected the cat’s lungs and neurological functioning.
Miracle Maisy is now completely awake and alert, and the staff at Humane Pennsylvania are hoping for a full recovery will lead to a foster home situation and, eventually, adoption.
Humane Pennsylvania is currently offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that will lead to a conviction.
Anyone who may have information should contact the Reading Police Department by calling 610-655-6116.
