Cat set on fire survives

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Puppy, as William Anderson and his family called their adopted cat, was a wanderer. So, Anderson didn't think a lot about it when the cat disappeared for a few days in late June.

But a week ago Sunday, a neighborhood child came to Anderson's door, near Turner and Ann streets in northwest Grand Rapids, and told Anderson something was wrong.

Anderson discovered Puppy in his yard, severely burned. Someone had doused him with an accelerant and set him on fire.

"Whoever did this to my cat, you know who you are," he said, choking back tears. "You know what you did to me and my daughter and my wife? We loved that cat. It's caused us a lot of pain. I don't know if what you thought you did was funny or something, but ... that's it."

Anderson could say no more.

Puppy suffered third-degree burns to his ears, neck, back and legs.

Anderson had to give him up to the Humane Society.

"It was going to be like, $2,000 to get it fixed up, so we had to give it to the Humane Society so it could get the medical care it needed, 'cause we couldn't afford to do it," Anderson said.

The cat, who workers at the Humane Society renamed Hadley, probably will lose both ears, veterinarians said.

The severe burns are just part of the cat's fight for survival. He also has infections resulting from the burns.

"Hadley is in stable, but serious condition and will remain in intensive care at the Humane Society for several weeks as his injuries and infection are treated," said Dr. Wendy Swift, the veterinary medical director at the Humane Society. "It will take many months and hundreds of dollars for medication and bandages for this kitty to recover from this act of cruelty."

The Humane Society is trying to find out who abused the cat. It asks the public for help.

"As a community, we have to take animal cruelty and abuse seriously," said Karen Terpstra. the executive director at the Humane Society in a press release. "Cruelty toward animals is often committed by someone who is also being cruel or violent toward humans."

The Humane Society and PETA are each offering $1,500 -- $3,000 total -- for information that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible.

Donations to the Humane Society have come in from as far away as England. Haldey is eating and his bodily functions are good, but the ongoing cost of his medical needs will be part of any evaluation for any prospective family who wants to adopt him, including the Andersons.

If you have any information, or want to help pay Hadley's medial bills, contact the Humane Society of Kent County at (616) 453-8900 or online.