by Geoff Fox
The Humane Society of Washington County and Hancock Police are looking for information regarding an animal cruelty case in town last Wednesday.
The Humane Society Field Service received reports of a light colored cat whose legs were partially bound and had a firecracker tied to its tail.
Multiple attempts had been made to catch the cat, however it was still at large as of Friday afternoon, June 20.
The cat was last seen on Fulton Street.
In a social media post, the Humane Society said if you were to see the animal, and are able to secure it, or have information regarding the individual or individuals responsible for the act of cruelty, you are to call the HSWC Field Services at 240-707-3082 during normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 301-790-7577 afterhours.
According to Maryland Criminal Code, it is illegal to intentionally mutilate, torture, cruelly beat, or cruelly kill an animal. If found guilty, it is a felony and carries a maximum of three years in prison or a fine of not exceeding $5,000 or both.
The binding of an animal’s legs and securing a firecracker to its body would fall under that code.
“Cruelty is not tolerated under any circumstances in Washington County,” the Humane Society said in the post.
The Humane Society of Washington County is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identification of those responsible/involved in the case.