Lawrence man cited for animal cruelty, cat found with gunshot wounds
Lawrence - A 73 year-old Lawrence man has been cited for animal cruelty after police found a cat with two gunshot wounds.
Police found the cat in the 100 block of Michigan Street on May 29. The cat was inside a trap on the side of a home in the area. It was injured, but still alive.
A witness in the area told police he heard a neighbor shoot what sounded like a gun earlier in the day. Animal Control took the cat to the Lawrence Humane Society, and it was transported to an area veterinarian clinic.
"One bullet went straight down the back of his neck, and the other one was right practically through his shoulder blades," Director of Animal Welfare Kayse Aschenbrenner said. "So the fact that he survived in the first place is a miracle."
The cat had rifle bullets removed from his back, but he is now recovering comfortably at the Humane Society. He's also gotten a new name - Bullet.
"(Bullet) is the sweetest, nicest cat," Aschenbrenner said. "You would never believe that anybody had done such a horrible thing to him."
Police cited 73-year-old Jimmy R. Wilkins for Discharging a Firearm within City Limits and Animal Cruelty. According to City Prosecutor Jerry Little, Wilkins will make his first appearance in Municipal Court on June 28.
The Humane Society says Bullet will be available for adoption by the end of the month. If you are interested in adopting him, you can contact the shelter here.