PENNSYLVANIA – A South Philadelphia woman was found guilty of animal cruelty when she failed to get veterinary care for her cat, who was suffering from chemical burns and was near death, the Pennsylvania SPCA said Friday.
Shivone Williams, who is 28, of the 1500 block of South Etting Street, was sentenced on Thursday to pay a $500 fine and was prohibited from owning animals for 90 days.
Back on June 17, the PSPCA was notified that the cat had been dumped at the front steps of a veterinary clinic located in Grays Ferry a day earlier, said PSPCA spokeswoman Gillian Kocher.
The cat was literally covered with a “thick, sticky, gooey substance and was suffering from chemical burns as well as dehydration and emaciation,” Kocher stated.
When the clinic contacted the owner, she explained that the cat had gotten out of her house, and she did not want it back.
The cat, who has been re-named ‘Lumpy’, has since fully recovered and was available for adoption through PAWS at www.phillypaws.org.
“It has been incredible to watch Lumpy’s transformation in the 10 weeks since we found him,” stated Melissa Levy, executive director of PAWS.
“Even being near death couldn’t stop his affectionate and playful personality from shining through, and he quickly won our hearts,” Levy concluded.
Best of luck and love to you in your new life, Lumpy!